Lesson Nineteen • The Return of Christ
Pastor Josh Yates
We experience so many things in our lives. There are ups and downs, successes and failures, and struggles and victories. These events are so often personal and very close to us. A loved one is suffering. We have personal challenges with health, finances, and relationships. Maybe you made a bad decision and are struggling through the fallout. Possibly another person did something that hurt you deeply and you are trying to wade into the deep waters of forgiveness if that is possible.
Nationally, we have been through a lot in the past year. Decisions have been made on abortion and gun control along with a racial divide that is seemingly huge. We seem to be very separated as a nation. Shootings seem to be happening with regularity. So much so that we are less and less surprised when we hear of them in the news.
When we consider these things, it is heartbreaking and we can begin to lose hope, even faith. God, what is going on? When will you make all things right?
Revelation 22:1-5 says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
A day is coming when Jesus will make all things right. He will judge the world and justice will reign. Healing will come. Provision will be plentiful. Those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior will see His face (not his back like Moses did) and will bear His name. The night can seem so dark at times, but night will be no more. God, Himself will be our light!
These verses bring me back to the truth that God will make all things right.
However, will that only happen in the future?
As a child of God, you bear his name now. You carry the light of Jesus today. You have the fruit of the Spirit in your life to impact those around you at this moment.
Matthew 5:14 and 16 read:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT) Paul adds, “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Carry the light of Jesus wherever you go. He has a purpose and plan for you as the light of the world. God will make all things right in the future. In the meantime, shine the light of Jesus and allow Him to use you to impact lives around you.
In his song, “Don’t You Give Up On Me,” Brandon Lake sings, “When the night’s at its darkest, that’s when the light hits the hardest.”