God's Promise Revisited

25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.

Jesus is preparing them for the time when the world, as we know it, will end.  Telling them all of the destruction and terrible things that will take place.  

I can remember, as a child, being frightened when adults would talk about the world coming to an end.  They would name times and possible dates it would happen.  And they talked about those who would “not be saved.” That is, would not go to heaven.  They would use texts like this one to make their point.

It was really scary!

Scary because somehow the conversation never got around to Jesus’ promise:

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

That is!  Terrible things, scary things, painful and awful things will happen.  But!  But through it all, all of it,  we have this amazing truth to hold on to.  We have God’s Word, God’s everlasting covenant, and sustaining power surrounding and supporting us.  That will never end!  Never leave us to handle it alone!

We are told, in many ways, throughout scripture that we are not to worry and get all anxious; because nothing can separate from the presence of God. 

So, heres the deal! 

Here is the bump in the promise!

What we know, for a fact, is that when our physical possessions are destroyed.  They are gone!  They are no  more.

We know for certain that when one of the limbs of our body is amputated.  It is gone!  It is no more!  Never to be apart of us again.

When a loved on dies, we experience a painful separation/loss.  A very final feeling of being cut off.  They are just gone!

When fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes  happen.  People lose everything they once called their own.  Home, furniture, clothing and toys of all kinds.  Gone!

People who  experience such terrible loss know of what Jesus speaks: “All things will pass away.”  Will be gone!  All gone!  “But my word” — my truth — will never be gone!   That is, my grace, mercy, strength and comfort will never, not ever, go away.

Now that promise is suppose to be enough for us!  All we will ever need.

My wonder is!  Is it enough?

Is it enough when someone stands facing their home of many years.  The home that housed all of their dreams, memories, precious treasures and most private secrets.  And they see the destruction of it all.  Every last thing gone!  I can’t help but wonder if it is enough!  Enough that God stands with them in front of all the rubble?

When a spouse sits by the bedside of their one true love in the most fragile of relationships, dying before their eyes.  Rendered helpless!  I wonder if God’s promise presence is enough?  If God’s offer of strength to get through it, is enough?

Or, how about when a parent struggles to walk beside a child who is making damaging decisions.  Or who can never seem to get life “right.”  Constantly in some sort of trouble, or crisis, with the school or the law.  I wonder if it is enough for them to know that God’s support is ever present and positively dependable?

Or, what about the person whose heart is crushed and their life is scattered, like a gig-saw puzzle, all over the floor.  With no two pieces that seem to fit together; because of the destructiveness of divorce.  I wonder if it is enough for them to know that God is there to pick up all the pieces for them and to calm their pain?  Eventually finding peace and new life?

All of this!  All of it will pass away!  

Yes, all of it will happen!  But God will never ever pass away!  Never leave us!  

Thats the promise!

Now, I am abundantly aware that our trials, our experiences are not the end of the world.  However, at the same time, our experiences often do seem like the end of the world.  Insurmountable devastation!  Irreversible destruction! 

And yet, whatever the circumstance, Jesus asks this of us:

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life,…” 

Weighed down, to the point of hope-less-ness and despair.  

Instead, he suggests, that we pray! 

“..praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

That sounds, to a totally human ear,  like a neat little package of self-help instructions.  So again I can’t help but ask, is prayer enough?  Does pleading to, an invisible untouchable, God really help at these end-time moments?

In my experience the answer are often: “No not really!  Not in this moment!” Or, “His promise doesn’t quiet the pain right now! ”  Or, “I need someone I can see and touch and hold me.”  “I know God is here, but right now I don’t feel his comfort.”

Doe that mean that their faith is not good enough?  NO! 

Just because we don’t “feel” God in our lives, in those trying moments, does not mean we don’t have faith in God.  It means it is just enough to know God is there.  And God works through the faith, we have, to bring us to a better place. 

I think that it means that as humans we meant to feel the pain of loss!  Whether it is our possessions or a loved one’s life!

God does not measure our faith!  Tiny is good enough!

25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21)