What keeps you up at night? Is it relationship issues? Health concerns for yourself or family? Is it financial? How do I pay the bills, put food on the table? There are many things we deal with in our lives, and sometimes we don’t have all the answers to solve the issues we face from day to day.
Know that you aren’t alone. Although times have changed and might look different, the same problem persists in our world. Scripture says this is because we live in a fallen world and all creation is affected by sin.
“22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” - Romans 8:22-23
This redemption of our bodies that Paul speaks of in Romans refers to Christ’s coming again on the last day. At this point, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, the old will pass away, our bodies will be raised from the dead, and all the problems of this life will be a fleeting memory (Revelation 21:1-4).
Wouldn’t it be great to no longer worry about the issues of this life and enjoy the eternity that has been won for us in Christ Jesus? Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
Unfortunately, we do not know when our Lord is coming again. Jesus says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” - Matthew 24:36
Many Christians have tried and failed to predict when Christ will come again, but Jesus says it is not worth our time. The question is, what does God do for us now to help in this age and with these issues? God is present with us now. In the Gospel of John, it speaks of the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus, is this Word, this “logos” that comes to us and dwells with humanity in flesh and blood. This is the first coming of our Lord, which we soon will celebrate again at Christmas. Even still, Jesus the Word is present today for us in the scriptures.
In the Word long ago, through the prophet Isaiah, God comforted His people.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” - Isaiah 40:1-2
You think you have problems? Israel, in the days of the prophet Isaiah, had great problems. The temple and Jerusalem were in ruins. The best and brightest in Israel have been taken into captivity by the pagan Babylonians. Men like Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego were taken from their homes in Israel to serve a life among the Babylonians. Those in exile and those broken at home were wondering when it would end. When can we go back to being God’s people again? Isaiah doesn’t answer these questions here, but reassures Israel that God has not given up on them and that He has not forsaken them even in the midst of all these struggles.
I don’t know what struggles you are going through, but I pray that you would know that there is a loving God who cares for you and is with you through it all. A God who did not abandon humanity, so he sent his Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. A God who knows His people and comes to be with His people, comforting them with His word. This is Jesus, the Son of God, who will come again on the last day. Until that time, this fallen creation suffers the pains of childbirth. But as painful as childbirth might be for a woman, it will come to an end, and a baby will come into this world. It is the same with the struggles of this life; it might be hard now, but it will come to an end, and there will be joy when Jesus comes back for us.
Comfort, comfort to those who mourn, to those who struggle, to those who are poor, to those who are broken. Jesus is our comfort as we live through this life and as we look forward to his coming again on the last day.
