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“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4. Have you ever taken the time to think about what this verse truly means? You cannot read this verse in Revelation without also visiting Genesis – the beginning. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31. In the beginning it was good and what beautiful hope we have in the Father that the end will be just the same!

My Mama and I were visiting our Uncle Terry in the nursing home over the weekend when he prompted me to read this verse out loud. I did it with tears in my eyes as I stared at a man confined to a bed with little mobility and many years of struggles seen through his aging body. After I read it, he smirked and reminded me that one day he will be able to walk without pain or suffering because of this very promise. It was a verse he has held close in his heart since a young adult like a seed buried inside that will one day rise from the crippling of his earthly form. It was a promise from God that fed joy and not fear. It was a verse I’ve taken for granted many times before when I want to give way to self-pity instead of rejoicing in truth. Because of the sin of man, we are not exempt from suffering, tears, or pain in this earth age, but what a wonderful blessing to know that one day soon we will be free from the curse of this present day.

Can you imagine for a moment God wiping every tear from your face? This imagery speaks to God’s compassion, love and tender care He has towards His children in times of great sorrow. The elimination of death, pain and sadness signifies the incredible power of restoration in the life of those who believe. Although we may not all have that restoration in this body, you can rest tonight knowing that in the end we will each receive the greatest gift of uninterrupted joy, peace, and perfect health! I don’t know what you may be struggling with in the natural, but I can assure you that there is a book filled with promises of God just as in Revelation 21:4 that you can cling on to when you feel as though all hope is lost. As I left the bedside of this god-fearing man, I was reminded what hope in the midst of affliction looks like. It’s not having strong muscles but a strong conviction. It’s not about standing up tall but standing for the truth. It’s not about being able to read the Bible but having the verses buried deep in your spirit. It’s not about walking without pain but running the race of your calling. It’s not about living a life with no suffering but reminding others every day of the suffrage of Christ.

I am thankful for this encounter with God on an ordinary Sunday afternoon and I pray this little verse brings stillness upon your life this week too. If asked why this particular verse, our Uncle Terry would smirk and say, “It’s a little thing God and I came up with, but really it’s just Him”. If not this one, find a verse just between you and God this week and remind Him of His beautiful promises from Genesis all the way to Revelation and everywhere in between. Glory is coming!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

Blessings,

Kayla