Hope for Restoration
READ
It is no secret that we live in a broken, fallen world. Every day, God’s children suffer hunger, abuse, illness, neglect, grief, depression, anxiety, and financial insecurity. Deep in our hearts, we know that things aren’t meant to be this way.
As Christians, we are called to acknowledge the pain and anguish that plagues our world. Our Savior calls us to mourn with those who are hurting and to do what is in our power to meet the needs of the oppressed. But though we are invited to lament injustice and tragedy, we cannot give ourselves over to an attitude of fatalism or hopelessness. We have to trust that our God can and will eradicate all darkness and evil from the world!
Let’s take a moment to read Revelation 21:4:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely. No one will mourn or weep any longer. The pain of wounds will no longer exist, for the old order has ceased.
REFLECT
God never meant for us to experience the pain and grief we now face. When God created the world, suffering was nonexistent—there was only beauty and pure joy. God always intended for us to live in perfect harmony with Him, His creation, and one another. But in our pride and immaturity, we invited sin and corruption into our lives.
In His mercy, God gives us a choice whether or not to trust in Him. He wants our relationship with Him to be genuine, rather than mechanical or forced. God gives us free will—but we abuse it. We invite disorder into the world because we assume we can find more joy, peace, and satisfaction living apart from God than living under His loving rule. We convince ourselves that life is best lived on our own terms. We serve and honor ourselves over and above God and His beloved children. Because of human selfishness and greed, the world has fallen into disarray. Although we are the ones who incited the chaos, God has promised to clean up our mess. In fact, He has already done everything required to make things right and restore all that has been lost.
In today’s world, it is all too easy to forget the hope we have in Christ. As we look around us, it seems as though evil is winning every battle. It feels like everything is headed toward disaster. It feels like our world is more divided, violent, and merciless than ever. It feels as though the foundations of our earth are crumbling underneath our feet. But as people of faith, we can have confident hope in the One Who’s overcome it all. We know that the authority that darkness has over our world is only temporary. We know that sin and destruction don’t get the final say over our destiny, because Our Savior has conquered death!
We don’t have to deny or ignore the evil in the world. We don’t have to play pretend and shove our grief under the rug. We can acknowledge darkness and pain solemnly and honestly, without losing hope. We can fight for justice and peace, knowing that our labor isn’t in vain, because God is working through us to bring heaven to earth. We can live looking forward to the day when there is no more tears, pain, loss, or brokenness.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Are there parts of your life where it’s hard to believe God can bring healing or make things right? How can you invite hope into these areas?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
God of restoration and healing, thank You for Your promise to renew all things! Help me to trust that You’ve already won the war against sin and death. Show me how to have confident hope in Your victory, even when it feels like I’m fighting a losing battle. Remind me that evil and darkness don’t win in the end. Remind me that Your promises are true, and that there will be a day when none of Your people know pain or loss. God, bring Your Kingdom to earth, according to Your perfect timing. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.