Weekly Devotional 01-01-18 (2018 and Beyond).
Our world is constantly changing, and it is hard to know how one should prepare for these changes. Some are contemplating a change of career, some are considering, with apprehension, investing in one enterprise or another. Because of industrial changes (mechanization replacing humans in many industries and other innovations) many will lose their employment. Doubt, and even fear, has gripped the heart of many and this is certainly understandable. Many, if not most persons will be caused to adjust their lives in the coming and following years. But, hasn’t this been the way of the world since man was expelled from the Garden of Eden? Didn’t God say to man’s federal head (Adam), because of your disobedience “17bCursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return”? (Genesis 3:17a-19 NKJB). Yes, He did. So, the difficulties that lie ahead should not be a surprise. Those difficulties are as applicable to we who are Christians as it is to those of the world, to those who deny God and will not allow Him in their life.
There is not much good news for the rejecter of God, or rejecting His anointed Jesus Christ. The above-mentioned difficulties will be your lot throughout your life and then an eternity separated from Holy God. Why not turn to God and Jesus Christ now and let them provide for you what we Christians now enjoy, a more abundant life and an eternal future with them? Of that future we read from Revelation 21:1-11 NKJB; “1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”
The wonderful thing is that this is not some pie in the sky thought for we also read from Romans 8:28-39; “28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Do you see it? God holds those who are His securely in His hand. Even though we must endure the results of the curse (Genesis 3:17-19), it is only temporary. We have a destiny that is truly beyond comprehension. So, my brothers and sisters, do not be fretful, but expectantly let us hold firm to His unchangeable promise.
Have a blessed 2018.
Steve
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man