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Do you look forward to a better day some day? Most of us do. My heart goes out to those who suffer. I have two loved ones who experience chronic pain every day. My son has Crohns’disease and my wife has Rheumatoid arthritis.
Some days are okay and other days can be very hard. Some of you know what the heartbreak of suffering is firsthand. You feel so helpless when you can’t make a person’s pain go away no matter how hard and long you’ve prayed or how much you’ve done.
For some their suffering is physical, for others it’s relational and emotional. Having just taught on the ‘hope of heaven’ I was encouraged by being reminded of the promises of God for Christ followers. There will come a day when there will be no more sorrow and no more pain. Rev.21:4
Bob Dylan wrote…
If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
Oh what would I do if not for you?
If not for you, winter would have no spring
I couldn't hear the robins sing
I just wouldn't have a clue
Anyway it wouldn't ring true if not for you
For some their suffering is physical, for others it’s relational and emotional. Having just taught on the ‘hope of heaven’ I was encouraged by being reminded of the promises of God for Christ followers. There will come a day when there will be no more sorrow and no more pain. Rev.21:4
Bob Dylan wrote…
If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
Oh what would I do if not for you?
If not for you, winter would have no spring
I couldn't hear the robins sing
I just wouldn't have a clue
Anyway it wouldn't ring true if not for you
Without love ‘I’d be nowhere at all.’ Many have said with Dylan, ‘Oh what would I do if not for you?’ Oh, what would you do if not for God?
Do you look forward to a day when you, a loved one or a people group will no longer suffer? Maybe you or someone you know is discouraged and struggling to just hang on to life. They’ve lost heart and want to throw in the towel.
They try to hold on to this world with everything they have, but the weight and hurt of it all is just too much. The many trials that never seem to end just grind on.
But, in the midst of it all there is a peace you and I can experience. On the night of His betrayal and arrest Jesus promised His heartbroken disciples…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Hold on to the promises that God brings…
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49-50
But now, Lord, what do I hope for You? My hope is in only you. Psalm 39:7
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49-50
But now, Lord, what do I hope for You? My hope is in only you. Psalm 39:7
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:1
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-1
As Chris Tomlin wrote,
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well" There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
Though my heart and flesh may fail There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well" There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
One day face to face and the burdens of this place will be no more. I look forward to it!
If Not For YOU God…How would you fill in the blank? Please respond below.
With Hope,
