“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
The area known as Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) in Israel has been destroyed and rebuilt over 25 times by various generations. Wars over a few centuries would demolish the city, and to this day you can still see the visible layers created by different time periods as the city walls were rebuilt.
Watch: A video devotional filmed at Tel Megiddo
It’s amazing how vulnerable we are to being demolished and torn down. Like Tel Megiddo, various battles break apart the walls that we build around ourselves to protect us from the enemy. In our lives different types of suffering shake us from our very core and we watch as the walls around us come tumbling down. By God’s grace, often we get the courage to stand back up, do a bit of reconstruction, and start our lives again. We do this over and over, creating invisible layers that signify various life events.
So where does our suffering on this side of life fit in the grand story that God has written? Peter warns us in 2 Peter 3:10 that “the Lord will come like a thief” and that we should be prepared for His second coming. Moreover, Peter reminds us to wait for Christ’s return with eagerness and in peace being found without blemish. The glow of Heaven, cast upon our suffering, reminds us not to be afraid. We know that God’s promise is a “new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)
However the “layers of your life” look, I encourage you today and always: Be not afraid! The glory of Heaven awaits!
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