“Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.”
– Isaiah 51:6
Life in this fallen world can get pretty discouraging. We’re constantly surrounded by sin, suffering, and death, whether in our immediate personal life or on the unending flood of bad news. Killings. Wars. Famines. Plagues. We can easily sink into despair as it seems the world is falling apart, growing worse and worse with each passing day.
However, there is sure and certain hope! The future is better and brighter than the past. What we see with our eyes is not all that there is. While what is mortal will pass away, God’s salvation and righteousness are eternal!
Death will find us all, unless Christ returns first, but for those who’ve received the salvation God freely gives as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus, we will live forever in glory. God’s salvation is eternal. Our sins are forgiven – forever. We’re adopted by God as His beloved children – forever. Our souls are united with Christ – forever. We’re transformed to become like Jesus – forever. One day our bodies will be glorified to be like His – forever.
God’s righteousness will one day fill all of His renewed creation. When Christ returns in power, triumph, and judgment, all evil and injustice will be swept away forever. Creation will be renewed to perpetual perfection. Righteousness will never again be undermined by sin. Those made righteous by Christ will never again be separated from God’s holy presence.
The future is glorious. It is forever. If you are in Christ, this future is yours. If you haven’t yet trusted in Christ, do so and this future will be yours. Don’t let the present get you down. Worship God. Delight in Him. Enjoy fellowship with His people. Serve Him. Share His Gospel good news.