Are You Ready for Something New?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s lectionary scripture guides us to remember our preparation for the coming of Christ as part of the unfolding of creation. It is about the holiness of Christ’s first coming and the newness associated with the second coming of Jesus. It is about a Heaven that awaits those who love Him.
And the reality is that heaven has gotten a lot of bad press by those that do not know the promises of God. People see heaven as sitting on a cloud wearing a halo, while little angels play harps as they float in the sky. Others see it as an unending church service, or just singing hymns forever. Some think of it as a celestial retirement city. No wonder many secretly ask if that is all there is… it seems so boring. All this sounds more like purgatory than heaven. So too on this last Monday in 2015, there is an eager expectation that creation itself will be liberated from its bondage. In this life and the next we are looking for something new. We are in anticipation of a New Year message that sees the home of God among. Are You Ready for Something New?
Scripture: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 148:1-14 (NRSV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:1-7 (NRSV)
Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the Lord.
Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of jewels, and all your wall of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the prosperity of your children.
Isaiah 54:1-13 (NRSV)
Message: Our universal praise of all creation is indeed well merited. Today’s Psalm, is a Song of Creation which itself in a way is a song of praise of the cosmos that frees us when it grows hot with our musings about grand things but also as Jesus taught us; delight in the little things as well…a baby Jesus…a new year. It is an environmentalist’s psalm with an imperative appeal that we not exalt ourselves above God. The psalm rejoices with praise in the wisdom and glory of the Lord who has made such a wonderful world. It calls us to worship the Creator. Amazingly the moon, the stars and the sun are placed just so creation can blossom; and so too the Son’s actions in creation placed so spiritual life might blossom. As the body of believers, the choir, we gather together to do the work assigned to us to sing in harmony. We are called, in fact everything that has breath has been summoned to praise the Lord in the newness of a Christmas day. And friends, if celebrating this life and Christmas can be, in all its brokenness, so wonderful, heaven has got to be even better. Heaven has got to be a real place with meaningful and rewarding work for us to do…the fulfillment of what we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. It is here we see the promise of a future but also a reassurance of what we receive in Jesus…this child of Christmas that promises us comfort on earth as in heaven. No, the work and the exploring and the discovery and creativity does not end. The only difference is that things will be right and exciting and joyous…All that is born out of a love that will prevail. Isaiah wants us to have a vision of a future glory that is peaceful. He wants us to expect great things from God and to attempt great things for God because we have been delivered by the Suffering Servant. We will still be in relationships with others, healed just as is our relationship with God. In heaven we will experience a reward beyond description….we will get to take up residence with God as a balance of that day He took up residence with us in the Christ child Jesus.
Pray with praise for God’s good creation. Pray we are good stewards too worthy of praise. Pray His glory not be concealed by the clouds of human sin. Pray even now, that we have the right motives. Pray we sing praises for all His creation in harmony throughout all eternity even into a new creation. Pray we honor God’s creation with continual praises. Pray we heed His call. Pray we realize that we too walk on Holy Ground when we have Jesus in our hearts. Pray we understand we are to worship the Creator but honor as good stewards His creatures and creation. Pray He call us and proclaim His sovereignty in us and sends the Spirit, the wind of His wisdom to guide us. Pray with praise for the Lord and this glorious creation He has made. Pray He never grows tired of us. Pray we live the message of healing, comfort and peace that Jesus came to proclaim. Pray that our love of God not be compromised by a selfish love for ourselves and the things of this world. Pray that we realize that justice will be realized in this world or the next. Pray that we come home at last to what we have been looking for …working toward…all our lives. Pray we prepare for the newness Jesus brings.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 