With Us // God With Us... Forever
Life hasn’t exactly turned out like I would have expected it to. But in all the grief and loss I have experienced the last few years, there is one truth about God’s character that seems to jump off the pages of the Bible repeatedly to me, without me even trying to find it – God’s nearness. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of God being with his people is woven throughout. This aspect of God’s character has given me comfort, changed my perspective on my circumstances, and drawn me to him in ways I have never imagined. Because I can’t help but find these nuggets of “God with us” all throughout His Word, I thought I’d share some of those with you, here, in the form of short, regular devotionals. Start off your week with the assurance that God is with you – and see how that changes things, no matter what you’re going through or where you are in life. Ask God, “Meet me here” – after all, that’s the very thing he’s asking you.
Revelation 21:1-7
Then I saw a newheaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth hadpassed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw theholy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven fromGod, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the thronesaying, “Behold, the dwelling placeof God is with man. Hewill dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will bewith them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tearfrom their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there bemourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passedaway.”
5 And he who wasseated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also hesaid, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Andhe said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, thebeginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of thewater of life without payment. 7 Theone who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his Godand he will be my son.
Context
God has givenJohn a vision for what is to come in eternity, in the New Heaven and NewEarth. Verse 4 is often referenced as acomfort to those who are experiencing pain in this world, often skipping oververse 3. When I first encountered verse 3, I can remember exactly where I wassitting and what I was doing. Yes, all those things in vs. 4 (and beyond) aretrue and give me hope for the future. But the big picture? God willdwell with his people for eternity! And that gives me hope… now. He’s with us now, and he will be with usforever.
Questions to Consider
- Whatabout this vision for the future gives you hope?
- Whatdo you learn about God’s character here? What things does he declare to be trueabout himself?
- Howdoes knowing what’s true of God – and seeing this traced even into Revelation,and starting in Genesis – impact your heart and soul as you face the worldaround you today?
God, you are truly the God whose heart iswith us. You made us to be with you, oursin separated us from you, Jesus made a way where there was no way so that wecould dwell with you in relationship again… and then you declare repeatedlythat you are our God and we are your people – all the way into eternity. We are left in awe of who you are,Jesus. You are the Alpha and the Omega,the beginning and the end! We praise you for giving us your heritage, and forcalling us your children. We loveyou. You are with us. Amen.
Find all of the devotionals, including the introductory explanation post, here.