We started 2021 on a Friday 364 days ago and now we conclude this year on a Friday. It really is a privilege and honor to start the year off and close it.
We have had a lot of pain and sorrow this year. We have lost friends this year. We have had financial set backs. Relationships have broken. We have had victories this year as well. We’ve seen bad habits overcome. We’ve made new and lasting friends. We’ve learned a lot of what the Holy Spirit has wanted to teach us. And so here we are thinking of 2021 and looking forward to 2022.
And the Bible ends on the most optimistic note ever. You can read it below:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. 6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” (Revelation 22:1-6 [NIV])
I don’t know about you, but I have become more and more secure in the veracity of the Bible. Even when it doesn’t make sense or I think there’s a mistake I know there isn’t one and I research it till I find the answer. And The angel states, “These words are trustworthy and true.” (v. 6). All that the Apostle John writes about how beautiful the new earth and new Jerusalem is going to be and we will see Jesus face to face and his name will be on our foreheads and more and more. It’s going to happen. We can take it to the bank. If you are a Christ follower on this last Friday of 2021 these things are going to happen to you. You will see these things. From then on it will only be victory after victory after victory for ever and ever. What a glorious eternity we have to look forward to.
Father God help us to be looking forward to this end of history when we will be able to spend eternity with you forever. Amen!
PS: See you in 2022 and just maybe this new year may be the year Jesus comes back for us.
DMB
Sixty-six books in a year 