MAY 15, 2014
Slow
Healing Process
Read: Revelation
21:1-8
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. . . . There shall be no
more pain, for the former things have passed away. —Revelation 21:4
Just 4 weeks after our
son Mark joined the US Army, he injured his knee seriously in a training
exercise. As a result, he was released from the military. So, at age 19, he had
to use a cane to get around for a while; and because of the severity of the
injury he endured 2 years of recovery, rest, and rehab. Finally, Mark was able
to set aside the knee braces he had worn since the accident. Although he still
experiences residual pain, the long, slow healing process has brought him back
to full use of his leg.
Physical healing is
often much slower than we anticipate. This is true of spiritual healing as
well. The consequences of unwise choices or the actions of hurtful people can
create burdens or wounds that endure for a lifetime. But for the child of God,
there is hope. Although full restoration is not always experienced in this
life, the promise of healing is sure. The apostle John wrote, “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”
(Rev. 21:4).
In our seasons of
pain, it is comforting to know that eventually, in His awesome presence, we
will be whole forever.
Father, I thank You
that in all of our pains and
struggles we can find
comfort in You. Help us to
bring all our hurts to
You—both spiritual and
physical—and to trust
that You will make us whole.
When we come to Christ
in our brokenness, He makes us whole.
Insight
What will characterize
the promised eternal state of the follower of Christ? In verse 5 of our text,
God declares from His throne, “Behold, I make all things new.” This includes a
new heaven and a new earth (v.1), a new Jerusalem (v.2), a new way of
interacting with God (vv.3-4), and so much more.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
