Friday, May 12 – Revelation 21:4

“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

One of the greatest stings we experience in this life is loss. The longer we live, the more we see loss is not just an exception in life but a guarantee of it. In this life there will be loss, and there will be pain. Apart from Christ, we try to find the best way to escape it, but we will always fall short. Even those with an eternal perspective still experience a present pain.

But as followers of Jesus, we can live with the assurance that this is not how it will always be. In the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more suffering or sorrow. God sees the pain we experience today, and although we cannot see it clearly right now, something greater awaits those who live in Him. Because of Christ, we are free from the bondage of sin, and that freedom will only continue in heaven as we are freed from sorrow and loss forever. This promise enables us to receive the exhortation of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

• What are some moments of loss that you have faced?
• How does the eternal hope of being in God’s presence, free from suffering and pain, encourage you?
• Pray and ask God to help you fix your eyes on the joy set before you as you face pain in life.