All Things New

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Revelation 21 together, which gives us a beautiful picture of the eternity that awaits those who are in Christ . In this series, we seek to lift the grieving mother’s eyes up towards heaven and the imperishable inheritance that is hers and her precious baby’s in Christ.

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“And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making
all things new.’ Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words
are trustworthy and true.’”
Revelation 21:5

READ:

The death of our daughter when she was just seven days old has done more to turn my thoughts toward heaven than anything else I have experienced. I long to be with her, and I know that is not possible until, through death, we are reunited in God’s presence. Thinking of my daughter in the arms of Jesus has caused me to spend more time pondering what heaven is really like. As Christians, we are citizens of another age. Colossians 3:1-4 tells us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly things, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and Romans 12:2 tells us to not be conformed to this world.

In Revelation 21:5 we read these words: “And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” Revelation 21 gives us the best glimpse in all of Scripture of what it is like to be in the presence of God. The former things—things of this earth—will be no more because God is making all things new.

In what ways is God making all things new and how does this give us—mamas with empty arms and babies who are with Jesus—hope? God will make things spiritually and morally new—sin, conflict, rebellion, hatred, and enmity will be replaced with righteousness and holiness and hearts responsive to God (Isaiah 43:18-19; Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 4:20-24). God will make all things physically and bodily new— we will be healed from all diseases and pain and will be given new, glorious, resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-49). God will make His creation new—there will be new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1). God will give us a new relationship with Him—His law will be forever written on our hearts and He make His dwelling with us permanently (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 2:15).

My baby was born with a broken body because of the curse of sin and death on this world. But Revelation tells me that in the presence of God there is no pain or death—she is fully healed and fully whole. My baby was born with the potential to sin, but in the presence of God, she is righteous and holy, having God’s law written on her heart.  My baby died in my arms, and my heart shattered into a million pieces—but God’s Word tells me that in His presence there is no sorrow or crying, and that God Himself will wipe away my tears. And all this is true, dear mama, for your baby too. From the dawn of creation our God has been in the business of restoration and new creation, and you and your baby are not left out.

“Behold, I am making all things new.” Everything will be made right. This is a promise we can claim in Christ.

REFLECT:

Read through the following passages and make two lists – title the first list “Former Things” and title the second list “All Things New.” Make note of what are the things of this earth, the things that will pass away, and what new things God puts in their place.

Isaiah 43:18-19
Isaiah 65:17
Jeremiah 31:31-34
I Corinthians 15:42-49
Ephesians 2:15
Ephesians 4:20-24
Revelation 21:1-5

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Abigail is mama to her toddler daughter and to Sarabeth who went to be with Jesus seven days after her birth in January 2018. She and her husband, Chad, live in Berea, KY on the family farm where they raise cattle. In addition to being a stay-at-home-mom and teaching piano part-time, Abigail blogs on Facebook and Instagram at A Healing Gratitude where her desire is to share Sarabeth’s story in a way that highlights the goodness and love of God and demonstrate how gratitude can lead to greater healing.

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