Daily Devotions: May 14, 2025

Revelation 21:1-7 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 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." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be His God and He will be My son."

It's what I long for—the day that Jesus makes all things new. At the moment I'm dealing with a very old problem, a problem that has its roots more than 20 years ago—and it's just come back up again. And it tempts me to give up. My mind wonders, why can't I ever catch a break? Why does this thing have to come up after all these years and endanger everything I've worked so hard for?

You probably have things like this in your life as well—family secrets, conflicts with your spouse or parents, illnesses of the body or mind that got their start years ago when they seemed like nothing important. But now you are suffering, and afraid of the future. What will happen to me as a result of this evil? Will God still be there for me, if the worst happens?

He will. He already has been there for us—because the One who is seated on the throne in heaven is the One who came down to earth to hang on a cross and carry our griefs and to take our death on Himself. Isaiah the prophet even calls Him the "Man of Sorrows," because of how deeply He has joined Himself to us in our suffering. And none of it is enough to make Him leave us. He looks at us in our sin and shame and sickness and grief, and He still loves us. And He has promised to bring us with Him out of this death, and into the light and joy of His own resurrection.

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, I need You. Make me new, and help me where You see I need it most. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your favorite bit in this description of God's kingdom?

2. Why do you think the Bible describes God's kingdom by telling us all the things that will not be there?

3. What is one area of your life you would dearly love to have God make new?