Wow. It’s brutal out there. Looking for bad news? You don’t have to look far, unfortunately. Wars? Take your pick. There are multiple conflicts around the globe. Failing or struggling economies? You may have to go no further than your own finances to see that trouble is brewing. Societies fracturing and crumbling? That’s a logical outcome when the building blocks of said societies – the families – lack support and are under attack.

And these are just the headlines. What about when we zoom in to ground level and see what’s happening on a more personal note?

Anxiety and stress? Everywhere. An underlying sense of dread and fear pervades not only the minds of the grown-ups, but it’s now ravaging our babies as well. Hopelessness and despair? No wonder addictions are skyrocketing as folks try everything imaginable to numb their aching hearts. Anger and rage? As humanity bumps into the meaninglessness it encounters at the altar of self-autonomy, frustrations boil over, with the most vulnerable among us taking the brunt of the suffering.

One could easily examine the landscape and throw in the towel – if there were no God and if He hadn’t provided His Word to give us understanding for the times – past, present, and future. Those who disregard the Lord are often cynical and fatalistic about what’s to come. But those who hold the Lord and His Word in high regard know this important truth – we’re not Home yet.

So yes, just as Jesus promised, “in this world (we) will have trouble.” But He also reassured us when He said, “…Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Paul reminded the early church that as believers in Jesus, their allegiance was no longer tethered to this world, but to another. “…Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Peter encouraged the disheartened believers of his day with the living hope of the resurrection of Christ that they received when they were born again. And we receive that same living hope at our new birth. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

“…In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13) A new day is coming when the hope of God’s promises becomes the reality of God’s promises. Let’s persevere, brothers and sisters. And let’s share the goodness of God with any who have “ears to hear” so that more will join us on the journey. We’re almost Home.

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“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” – James 1:12