“Behold, I Make All Things New!”
As we turn the page into another year, we are conscious of the passing of time. We live seventy years and if we have the strength, eighty years. Our years are often filled with sorrow and trouble. Our yearly resolutions fail in moments of weakness. We still live in a broken world marked by hatred, discrimination, violence and war. We live in a world of broken promises. Will there be anything ‘new’ in the year 2019, we ask, outside of new outbreaks of trouble in what seems like a world under collapse?
In the midst of the wreckage of time, Jesus, the true and living God, says, “Behold, I make all things new!” The One through whom all things were made has given this sure promise to all who place their trust and hope in Him.
He will make all things new, including this earth, when He returns. God Himself will make this world into a temple again. Listen to the beautiful promise: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” This is not wishful thinking. This is not just another list of broken promises to come. He says, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” This is the sure hope of all who trust in Him! He keeps all His promises.
What does His promise have to do with the year 2019? There is reason to be optimistic. Better days are coming for people of all nations who trust Him as their Savior and King! The world is in His hands; not in the hands of man, whether climate alarmists or world leaders.
But there is more to this promise, for the here and now, for the year 2019. He who says, “I make all things new” has already conquered sin, Satan and death through His death and resurrection from the dead. Practically this has many implications. “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”
He is talking about today. By our bowing to Christ, He already begins to make all things new for us, beginning in our hearts. Hope replaces fear; peace replaces strife and violence; forgiveness and love replace hatred. This flows into our lives, into our families and into the streets. The promise of the future begins to take effect now!
