We Are One Day Closer to His Return!
The other morning, I woke up early to go for a run in our neighborhood. It’s not common for me to feel super excited to go for runs and this morning did not feel any different. When I stepped outside it was dark, cold, and I felt certain I was about to get rained on. About a mile into my run, my legs and lungs hurt, and I was tempted to turn around and go home early.
Just moments later, I turned a corner in our neighborhood and saw vivid streaks of orange and pink across the sky. It was still quite dark, but seeing the first signs of the sun that was about to rise instantly changed my mood and encouraged me to press on. However, the view didn’t last long. A rain cloud quickly greeted me, blocked the view, and gifted me with a soggy run the remainder of the time. By the time I returned home, the rain had passed and the sky was filled with a bold and vibrant orange. I knew it was only moments until the sun would rise above the horizon.
That morning was impactful not only because of the view, but because of the things the Lord was reminding me of. The night before I read some verses in Ezekiel and Isaiah that spoke of the Lord’s promise of redemption being more certain than the natural patterns we experience in our world.
Isaiah 51:6 states, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.”
You and I can be more certain of the Lord’s return than the certainty we have in the sun continuing to rise. We believe that the sun will rise tomorrow morning because it has risen perfectly on schedule over and over again. There is no reason that we should doubt the sun will be on time or forget to rise because it hasn’t ever failed to do so. Similarly, we can be assured that Christ will come again to fully redeem us because He has never failed in His promises. Scripture shows us that the Lord is faithful and has fulfilled his covenants and promises repeatedly. In fact, because Christ has authority over all finite creation, we can actually have more confidence that He will return than the rising of the sun or moon!
Just like going for a run can be tiring and discouraging (for most), life often feels far more wearying and intimidating. We face decisions daily where it may feel easier to throw in the towel than to do what we know pleases the Lord. Darkness and discouragement tempt us to give up, but the Bible reminds us that the clouds are glowing with the imminent return of Christ! Some of Jesus’ final words to us were “Surely, I am coming soon!” (Rev 22:20). We are one day closer to the Lord’s return, and it is filled with hope and freedom. “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith…” (Heb 12:1-2).
Jacob Abrahamson
Youth Pastor