Bible League: Living His Word But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.— 2 Peter 3:13 NIV God has made a promise to us. It’s the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. It’s the promise that can be found in the prophecies of Isaiah. First, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind,” (Isaiah 65:17). And second, “‘As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,’ declares the LORD, ‘so will your name and descendants endure,’” (Isaiah 66:22). The new heaven and earth will replace the old heaven and earth. What’s the difference between the old and the new? According to our verse for today, the new heaven and earth will be the place “where righteousness dwells.” The old is the place of sin and death. The new, on the other hand, is the place of righteousness and life. That’s why we’re looking forward to it. Unlike the old, it will not be a transient situation. It will be eternal. As the Lord says, “the new heavens and the new earth that I will make will endure before me.” Just like the flood in Genesis, God’s intent is not to destroy His creation, but to purify it. That’s why, as the Apostle Paul tells us, “… the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed,” (Romans 8:19). It wouldn’t make much sense for creation, both heaven and earth, to look forward to its own annihilation. Rather, it looks forward to the time when it will no longer be subjected to the futility caused by sin and evil (Romans 8:20). The promise is the promise of a refurbished heaven and earth. It’s a promise definitely worth looking forward to. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 24, 25 Leviticus 24 -- Lamp and Bread; Blasphemer Stoned; Eye for Eye NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 25 -- The Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 1:23-45 Mark 1 -- John the Baptist Preaches, Baptizes Jesus; Jesus Tempted, Calls First Disciples, Preaches, Heals and Prays in Galilee NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Show me the right path, O LORD;point out the road for me to follow. Insight David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's primary guidance system is in his Word, the Bible. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. Challenge When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then will we receive his specific guidance. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ezekiel 35:10 Whereas the Lord was there.Edom's princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their way--quite unknown to them--"The Lord was there;" and in his presence lay the special security of the chosen land. Whatever may be the machinations and devices of the enemies of God's people, there is still the same effectual barrier to thwart their design. The saints are God's heritage, and he is in the midst of them, and will protect his own. What comfort this assurance yields us in our troubles and spiritual conflicts! We are constantly opposed, and yet perpetually preserved! How often Satan shoots his arrows against our faith, but our faith defies the power of hell's fiery darts; they are not only turned aside, but they are quenched upon its shield, for "the Lord is there." Our good works are the subjects of Satan's attacks. A saint never yet had a virtue or a grace which was not the target for hellish bullets: whether it was hope bright and sparkling, or love warm and fervent, or patience all-enduring, or zeal flaming like coals of fire, the old enemy of everything that is good has tried to destroy it. The only reason why anything virtuous or lovely survives in us is this, "the Lord is there." If the Lord be with us through life, we need not fear for our dying confidence; for when we come to die, we shall find that "the Lord is there;" where the billows are most tempestuous, and the water is most chill, we shall feel the bottom, and know that it is good: our feet shall stand upon the Rock of Ages when time is passing away. Beloved, from the first of a Christian's life to the last, the only reason why he does not perish is because "the Lord is there." When the God of everlasting love shall change and leave his elect to perish, then may the Church of God be destroyed; but not till then, because it is written, Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is there." Daily Light on the Daily Path Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.Acts 17:29 "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Ephesians2:4,5,10 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, • even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), • For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Psalm 17:15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. Revelation 21:7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Romans 8:17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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