Hope in God Is Always There For Us
Today’s Verse:
Revelation 21:4 ESV
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
This verse from Revelation is like a beautiful dream that feels far away in our busy and sometimes challenging lives. We cry, we lose people, we grieve, and we hurt every day. The old way things seem so real and powerful. But this verse gives us a powerful way to fight despair: hope.
As Christians, we know we live in the 'already, but not yet.' The Kingdom of God has already started, thanks to Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. We see it in moments of grace, love, and community. But it's not entirely here yet. The 'not yet' is the reality of our struggles, our pain, and the world's brokenness.
Revelation 21:4 tells us that the 'not yet' will be turned into the 'already.' It's a promise of complete healing and restoration. It's not just about wiping away our tears but about getting rid of the source of those tears – death, mourning, crying, and pain. The old way things were, the way of sin and brokenness, will be gone.
This promise isn't just for some future time. It's a promise that helps us live today. Knowing that God sees our tears, cares about our pain, and has promised a future free from suffering gives us the strength to keep going. It reminds us that hope is still there even in the middle of tough times.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You for the promise of a future free from suffering. Please help us to hold onto that hope today, even as we face challenges and experience pain. Remind us of Your presence and love, and give us the strength to live each moment in the light of Your promise. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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