Frustrated by Unanswered Prayers?
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” – Revelation 21:4.
How often have we been frustrated by prayers that seem unanswered, tragedies that were not prevented, loved ones lost? May God help us to trust this future promise.
How many have felt alone in their grief? Paul had promised that God wouldn’t lay on us burdens greater than we could bear (1 Cor 10:13), but sometimes we are not so sure anymore. Are the words of Jesus, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt 5:4, NIV) really meaningful at these times? Do we feel comforted? I wonder what Mary thought when she saw her son on the cross? Rev 21:4 are words from the future, that explain Matt 5:4. Those who mourn are not always comforted in this life. The future tense in Matt 5:4 is a promise that doesn’t always apply to the here and now.
But both texts are clear in this. We will see our loved ones again if they died in Jesus. We can find comfort in Revelation’s vision of hope. Even though our loved ones lie in a grave, we know that Jesus will return again. And when He does, God will wipe every tear away and the mourners will be comforted – forever.
Will God wipe away tears by causing us to forget all the hardships, suffering, and pain of this life? Or will we remember the hurts clearly, yet they won’t “hurt” anymore? How far will the “former things” have gone away? I suspect we will still remember, but the pain will be gone. The memories of our personal history are worth retaining, they are part of what we have become.
When memory has lost its power to wound, it retains its capacity to develop depth of character.
For those who have been severely wounded by life, it can be hard to imagine that time could strip painful events of their power to cause tears. But with God’s help, it can happen.
As this chapter opens, John is being given a look at the New Jerusalem that Christ built. Abraham had by faith “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” Hebrews 11:10. All the Patriarchs “died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously, people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11: 13-16 NLT. Pilgrims and strangers is the KJV rendition of this verse that I remember from my early Christian days. Pilgrims endure many hardships, the blight of sin often bites hard, and we reel from its attacks. But God’s people are ever looking upward. Our faith is directed not simply towards the future, but also towards the unseen truth that already exists, though it will not be manifest until the consummation of all things.
On the eve of His crucifixion Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3
And now, in your imagination, look around you. All the signs of sin have gone. The old earth, with its polluted atmosphere and broken-down land, is no more. Christ has created a new heaven and a new earth.
Thank you Ross for your hard work, your faithfulness in sending us a daily message.
Today’s message of hope is greatly appreciated and everyone before as well.
Blessings
Elliette
Thank You Elliette for faithfully reading them – I’m not sure how many do, but the subject is an important one considering the times in which we live. Come visit Warners Bay church some time. We are a small group, Church is at 10 and Bible study discussion at 11:30. Lunch also this week.
i, can’t wait to meet Jesus in the air and be taken to beautiful heavenly home he has prepared for us
Amen Robyn