The Back of the Book
By Olivia Barnes
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21 KJV
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 KJV
Do you read novels? I’m a terrible reader, I love reading but I can never just sit down and start reading a book. By the end of chapter one I am usually far too curious as to how it is going to end! I sneak to the back of the book and start skimming through the last chapter before continuing to read. I always want to know how it is going to end. It is the same with films – half the time I start googling spoilers to see how it is going to finish! It drives my husband crazy but I cannot help it, I need to know how it is going to end!
At the moment I am struggling because I want to know how Covid 19 is going to end and I do not know!
But I do know how the bigger picture is going to end, because I have read the back of the book and guess what –
we win!
No matter what we are going through or what we will go through, when all is said and done, as the children of God we are on the winning side! Unfortunately however when we are in the middle of a storm or series of storms we forget what the ending is.
The book of revelation may not be the easiest to read, but throughout it is a book of hope.
Biblical hope is not the same as an uncertain ‘I hope so’ that we would ordinarily use from day to day. Biblical hope is confident. It is a confident expectation; confidence in God, in His faithfulness, in His promises and promise keeping. An absolute assurance that we belong to Him, and that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. The book of revelation gives us a heavenly glimpse of how God is orchestrating all things.
Find encouragement today in the fact that our God is good, our God is in control. He is the living and true God. The Alpha and Omega: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end’ (Revelation 22:13). A God who will make all things new, who will wipe the tears from our eyes, and there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain (Revelation 21:4).
Focus on the confident hope which we possess as children of God. Our God in whom we live, and move and have our begin (Acts 17:28), He is in control. Today we can rest in this assurance:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
Thank You Lord that we have a hope that is steadfast and sure, a confidence expectation. Lord You are the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, and You are unchanging. As this world is reeling, You are in control. Help us to hold onto that hope, to never lose sight of it, no matter the storms of life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
There is a Hope by Stuart Townend
© 2020 by Olivia Barnes. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 15 December 2020.
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