“Clarity on our final destination gives us the courage to journey with Christ in the present.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 27, 2021
Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:12-13, ESV
I have a child who is a voracious reader. She has been this way since she picked up her first book as a young child, and her love for a great story has only grown with every passing day. However, as she begins to enter into young adulthood, her interests have deepened and expanded, moving from simple childhood stories into more complex narratives, which bring with them their own suspense, drama, and mystery.
In a recent conversation about a somewhat intense fantasy novel, she made a fascinating confession: she’d already read the last chapter! In fact, I learned that this was a common practice of hers, reading the final chapter of a book and then starting at the beginning. Though immediately shocked and scandalized by such a clear violation of the unspoken rules of book reading, I couldn’t help but appreciate and respect her logic.
Before committing her heart and mind to any given story, my daughter wants to know that it works out in the end. If the journey leads to redemption, goodness, and glory, she is up for the adventure. Yet in her heart and mind, she needs the clarity of the final chapter to carry her in peace through the moments of suspense and great trial.
While I hope and pray that my daughter outgrows this most unfortunate practice, I at the same time have found great spiritual comfort and wisdom in applying this illustration to our own life with Christ.
Clarity on our final destination gives us the courage to journey with Christ in the present. In his resurrection and ascension, we see that victory over sin and death is assured, and in his promise to one day return and heal the world, making all things new, we are told by our Lord how the story ends. He gives us the final chapter as a source of unspeakable encouragement and hope, one that is desperately needed as we navigate the trials and temptations of this life.
Wherever you may be today in the story of life, take heart and comfort in the fact that you are a child of the king, and his rule and reign will know no end. As Isaac Watts famously penned centuries ago,
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
Prayer
Father, as we walk through the story of this life, help us to keep your great and final chapter in our hearts and sights, that we may reach our end in peace and faith, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
In what ways can clarity on God’s victory in Christ help you to navigate the daily joys and struggles of life?
Related Reading
Revelation 1:4-5; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:20-21
Worship Resource
Keith & Kristyn Getty: Jesus Shall Reign
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