Peace, but not yet . . .

Humanity’s original assignment was, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) This dominion included all our needs supplied, but when Adam and Eve sinned, this ruined our ability to subdue and take dominion.

However, it didn’t rob us of the desire. MacArthur points to the effort expended in environmental issues and problems. Many have made them the focus of our problems instead of realizing how sin has ruined all ability to fulfill that mandate given by God. Once sin entered, the results were immediate:

To the woman (God) said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:16–19)

The animal kingdom fears or tries to destroy people. The earth grows weeds. We have extremes of heat and cold, poisonous plants, dangerous reptiles, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, hurricanes, and disease. Yet our battle with the earth is surpassed by our battles with one another. The effects of sin are greater on human relationships than what sin has done to this planet.

In my heart, I want the world to be a better place. Even the earth itself longs for that day. As the NT says:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:18–23)

When the angels proclaimed peace on earth at the birth of Jesus, it only happens now in the hearts of those who fully trust Him. Watch the news — there is very little peace on earth, but there is a day coming when Jesus will return and establish the will of God, a day that my heart also longs for, a time that the Bible describes:

Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)

“The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:25)

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

PRAY: Jesus, on this Christmas Eve many hearts long for ‘peace on earth’ and we sing carols to celebrate Your coming and Your promise to restore this world to what You intend for it and for us. Bless our hearts with the assurance and hope we so desperately long for, and the ability to thank You that You will redeem the earth from the curse of sin, just as You have promised and just as You have redeemed us.

PONDER: ways I can share the peace of heart God gives me with those who mourn and struggle with the fact that, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:8)

 

 

 

Bad news and God’s comfort

Some people call the Christian hope of heaven ‘pie in the sky’ and make fun of those who trust God for a glorious eternity. I understand that thinking, especially on those days when bad news makes heaven extremely appealing. Yet the hope of full redemption is not based on mere hope-so hope. It is grounded in the promises of God.

Two days this week brought four dire situations — bad news and tears, and for the most part no relief. They are what they are. I look to the Lord for answers, comfort, a Listener for the sorrow I feel.

This morning, God gives me a little piece of pie. That is, He comforts me with the promise of full resolution. Sin and its consequences will be no more, yet as the Bible says, we groan for it to happen . . .

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:18–23)

This old world is in bondage to corruption. Our bad news involves mental illness, broken bones, dreadful abuse and a murder-suicide. Most stem from the sinful condition of humanity. I groan, but I also pray. God is not limited by my short-sightedness nor did any of these things catch Him off guard. Further, He is not limited by hopelessness or the distress of people, His own children or otherwise. Nothing is too hard for God.

^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, for me grant the grace to trust You and keep trusting You, not only for the next life, but for this one, and for the wisdom, grace and compassion needed regarding this week’s bad news. Reading stuff like this in the daily paper or hearing in on television is bad enough; having it happen in our backyard to family and friends is indeed a suffering. You will eventually wipe away all sorrow and tears. For now, I’m so glad to know You and rely on You. Pie is okay, but Your promises are my deepest security. As Tozer says, Your richest blessings often require sacrifice, suffering, conflict, and patient waiting, but the blessing grows with the delay and Your compound interest increases as we endure.