In the movie Forrest Gump, we hear that life is like a box of chocolates. “You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Life has its ups and downs. Not many things are guaranteed. Batters strike out. Pitchers give up the long ball. Our world has in it words like “cancer,” “failure,” “unsafe,” and “it’s over."
The uncertainty of life raises the question of whether there is anything certain. Thankfully, we do have the promise that God will care for the flock. Give your ear to the truth of God’s presence and the promise of an eternal tomorrow.
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Revelation 7:9-12
If we try to get a vision of what eternal life will possibly be like, then today’s passage gives a good indication. People from all corners of the earth are gathered – multiple colors, languages, and peoples – standing before the risen Christ, the Lamb. Palm branches are waving. People are shouting, “Salvation belongs to our God.”
An eternal promise and an eternal hope can deliver us from the hopelessness that can plague our world. We live in a world where ACT or SAT scores are never high enough, or where expectations can be beyond reality. We lock doors out of fear. We feel connected to many while actually sitting alone. Commitments made to last forever can experience jarring breaks in them.
Whatever junk the world may offer us, know that Jesus is more. Live in the vision that one day we too can wave palm branches while standing before the throne and singing to God.
Jamie Mackey
Jesus, thank you for the eternal promise of life with you. May that promise and vision transform me into having hope for the living of these days. Amen.
Go in the assurance of God’s presence;
Go in being God’s child;
Go in the strength of God’s hand;
Go in the hope of the eternal tomorrow;
Go in the ability to speak words of life into others.