Sunday 24th May | Luke Porter
Readings
Reflection
Today’s readings speak of hope for the future.
At this time I think we all have hope for a future in which we can once again meet face-to-face, maybe share a hug, cook one another a meal and not have to awkwardly side-step others in the street. We don’t know when that day will come, as the coronavirus continues to spread and tragically claim the lives of many across the world. But we do know this won’t last forever, and one day we will be able to return to doing the things we painfully miss at the moment.
Perhaps this time of waiting and hope for the future could be seen as a microcosmic example of God’s bigger plan to one day ‘create new heavens and a new earth’ (Isaiah 65:17). Although our thoughts and memories of ‘normality’, pre-lockdown, may seem like paradise to us at the moment, God has a plan to usher in a true, eternal paradise. ‘He will wipe 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’ (Revelation 21:4).
The psalmist in Psalm 104:33 says ‘I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.’ Let’s adopt this hopeful posture of praise and thanksgiving - not for all situations, but in all situations, until our days in this life come to an end and we get to live in eternity with Him.
Let God use this situation we find ourselves in to teach us and remind us of the hope of the coming kingdom, which won’t just be coronavirus-free, but will be free of all pain, all suffering and all sin.
Prayers
Lord God, thank you that our hope is secure in you. Thank you that no matter our earthly situation, we can hold firm to the fact that one day we will live in a perfect kingdom with you.
Please help us to use this time to draw closer to you, and to be thankful for all that you are and all that you’ve done. As we hope for the end of the coronavirus and a return to normality, let us not forget the greatest hope of all - eternity with you, Jesus.
Amen.
Collect
O God the King of glory,
You have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
With great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
We beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
But send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
And exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
Amen.
