Topic: This Is Not the End of the Story [RICK WARREN Devotional 5 April 2020]
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“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus back to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 (CEV)When the future is uncertain, the world comes to a halt, and there is a lot of fear, it might seem like your story is coming to an end.
The Bible tells us, “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . because we know that God raised the Lord Jesus back to life. And just as God raised Jesus, he will also raise us to life. Then he will bring us into his presence together” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14 CEV).
You can’t lose! You win in the end, no matter what happens. Even if a global sickness takes your life, if you believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, then you’re going straight into the presence of God.
Your story will just be beginning.
Have you ever watched a TV show where every single episode ended in a cliffhanger and left you thinking the hero might not survive. The tension can be enormous.
But what if you waited until the show ended, so you could watch the whole series at once.
Well, when you know the series will last for six more seasons, you’re not too worried about whether or not the hero will make it out of a tight spot. Each episode is not the end of the story.
We don’t know how much time we have left here on earth, but that doesn’t mean we live without hope. To live with hope in the middle of a crisis like a global pandemic, you have to change your perspective. You have to live in light of eternity.
One day, when you meet Jesus in heaven all of your pain, sickness, sorrow, sadness, stress, and grief are going to end.
Here’s what you have to look forward to: “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 NIV).
This is not the end of the story. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
- In what specific ways do you need to change your focus from fear to hope?
- What tools do you have to remind you of hope when you feel discouraged or fearful?
- Why do we want the world to see that Christians have hope and confidence in the midst of a crisis?