The God Who Creates Again
It was a short night as the alarm sounded at 2 a.m. and I prepared for a trip to Atlanta. Debbie was here for Mother’s Day, so I decided to visit for Father’s Day weekend. I am getting caught up on the short night and the time adjustment and getting back on track with a devotional after a few days of absence. Not sure if I have missed two consecutive days of entries before!
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create…” Isaiah 65:17-18 ESV
When God creates it is not only good, but it surpasses anything that has been known or existed. These verses written by Isaiah the prophet thousands of years ago, are echoed by John on the Isle of Patmos.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1,2 NIV)
While the Lord did restore His people to Jerusalem and provided them a “new” start following their 70 years of captivity; that was not the full or final fulfillment of what Isaiah saw and prophesied. As we can see in John’s vision, that Lord has something planned and in store that is greater than earth has ever seen. He is not just “re-creating” that which has been, He is “creating” or bringing about that which has never been before.
The grandeur of that which the Lord creates causes that which was in the past to be forgotten. When God’s people returned to a rebuilt Temple under Ezra they wept, because its glory was not the same as what had been under Solomon. That is not and will not be the case when the Lord brings His “new heave and new earth” into existence.
The promise of a new heaven and a new earth will result in continuous praise and glory to the Lord. It will be praise to the Lord for His greatness, His faithfulness and His majesty. That is what we see revealed in the Book of Revelation.
The new heaven and the new earth is a promise that causes us to anticipate and to hold lightly that which is now or that which has ever been. Peter wrote, “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) Since Peter wrote before John’s vision, he undoubtedly was referring to the promise of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Even though Peter was an eye witness of the miracles and majesty of the Lord, he pointed his fellow believers facing persecution and suffering to that which the Lord has promised and that which one day would be fulfilled.
The Lord who created in the “beginning” will create once again in the “end.” The Lord has not stopped His creative work. His creative work will be manifested in the world, just as His creative work is revealed in the lives of individuals who surrender to His will.
We can be confident that the Lord who creates and “makes all things new” is able to do that in each life that needs a new hope and a new future.
Prayer for today…. Lord, Your work in creation as well as Your promise of creation, not only makes us stand in awe of what You have done, and what You will do, but gives us hope that Your work is available for each individual who needs to leave the past behind and to experience a new start and a new life.