DEVOTION – DAY 516

Revelation 21:3-4 “God Will Dwell With Us Forever”

Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The Bible begins with God creating the Universe and everything in it with man at the apex of His creative order. God placed man and woman in the garden and God had fellowship with man and woman. Then, man and woman fell into sin and disobeyed God causing mankind to be separated from God. The rest of the Bible reveals God redemptive plan to bring fallen mankind back into fellowship with Him. The Bible ends with the book of Revelation where in the above verses, we are told that God’s dwelling place will be among His people once again. 

God dwelling with His people, is the deepest expression of the intimate relationship that God has promised. This promise applys to those who have a relationship with God through their belief in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. When people do that, the penalty for their sins have been atoned for by Jesus Christ on the cross, and the way is open for them to have a relationship once again with God. That relationship is restored spiritually on a person’s conversion to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That relationship will take on a physical dimension one day in the future, when God will once again resurrect His people physically and dwell with them in a new heaven and a new earth forever (Rev.21). This will be in eternity where there will be no more tears, death, pain and suffering for the old order of things are no more. This is God’s gracious promise to all believers.

We know a couple of women who had led busy active lives. Both of them were recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The disease will cause them to be progressively dependent on others as they lose their mobility and ability to do many things. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves and blaming God, they both decided to trust in God and His promises. They continue to thank God that their disease is at the early stages and that there are still many things that they are able to do without the need for assistance. They look forward to the day when they will spend eternity with the Lord where there are no tears, death, pain or suffering. They choose to spend their time praising God, rather than feel sorry for themselves. Their positive attitude and trust in God’s promises are helping them cope better than many others with a similar condition.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are faithful, merciful and gracious. Please help us to look ahead to your abundant promises and not at our present circumstances, for your plans for us will always exceed our expectations. We humbly pray in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What pain, suffering or tears are you facing at the present?
  2. Will you look ahead to God’s promise that He will wipe away every tear, remove all suffering, pain and death and that He will dwell with us forever?
  3. What does it mean to you to be able to dwell with God forever? Share and Discuss.