LORD Jesus,
Where do I begin? My heart hurts. I am in shock over the pain, destruction, violence, fear, injustice, and outrage taking place on our streets, in our country. I feel sad. I feel angry. I feel scared. I don’t have the perfect words to say, but You do, God. Your words are faithful and true. You are our Shepherd. Light of the world. The peacemaker. The great I Am. And nothing is impossible for you, God.
We know that one day, You will abolish all evil and death. You will remain victorious, God. You are the Way, and You will make the eternal way for Your children—children who come from every tribe, every nation, and every tongue.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you have me studying Revelation right now. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that much of what we are witnessing in the world today mirrors the revelation You gave to John. Deception, war, famine, death. For those who don’t know You, the outlook is bleak.
But thank you, Jesus, that You provide a way out.
You give us hope. You are the spotless lamb, who shed your blood for us on the cross. You tell us that all who believe in You will be saved!
“This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Destruction is coming, but we know it’s not the end for those of us who love You. This earth is broken. We will suffer, and we will witness grave injustice here. Yet, You are good, and You are faithful. You are the ultimate just judge.
“There was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)
This is amazing!
Every nation, tribe, people, and language. You wash us white as snow, God. Thank you.
Lord, we know from the time of Adam and Eve that this world is a fallen one. We look forward to heaven with great expectancy, and we trust that You are in the business of making all things new.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is their second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8)
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Amen.