Former things won't be remembered

California had suffered from some heavy weather this winter. It reminds me of a weatherman saying, "We are having more weather than usual." The fact is hard things happen in life. We live in a physical world where disasters occur. Does that mean that god doesn’t take notice? I think not.
There are many people who are not acquainted with God, who will point to natural disasters as proof God doesn’t exist. That’s like saying the because crimes are committed the law, or police don’t exist. The newspaper reported on a murder case that hasn’t been resolved in over fifteen years. Yet with a suspect in custody, the courts of men move slowly. Would we feel better if God was more swift in His pronouncement of justice?
The world has just celebrated (if that’s the right word?) Sixty years after the liberation of the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz. As part of the ceremony, a Jewish Cantor sang a song longing for the messiah. This is the one who will make all things right. Does this say anything about suffering in the present world today?
Part of the answer is found in us. Don’t you agree, that today we expect too much from man’s understanding? Too often we expect immediate satisfaction. I’m guilty of this. I don’t like long lines, especially at fast food places. If I can’t get what I want, when I want it, I get disturbed. I have been known to leave before ordering.
All of this is to say that we, as believers, don’t need to worry about what God is or is not doing in respect to disasters (man made or natural). The time will come when He will make everything right. We find relief in the fact that the insurance companies will make payments to us for losses we have suffered. That relief comes often before the payments are received. Should we respond any differently with the promise God has made?
I’m reminded of the passage that tells us, "the former things will not come to mind" (Rev. 21:4). This isn’t talking about a "quick fix" to help get beyond. This is real. What I in store for us is so much better than what we know now, that this present life won’t come to mind.
Here are a couple of examples. When you received your last pay raise, did you live differently? The old situations were gone. You could save, buy things you needed, the new situation replaced the old one. How about when you felt lonely, then found that special person? The old life was left behind. Sure you could remember it, but it was no longer the focus of your life. One more. Remember the old car you had? For one reason or another it was replace with the new car. At that time your driving experience was changed. The old situation no longer directs.
Our lives now may be plagued with difficulties, but there is something better coming, when our Messiah comes! Then we will know by experience what the Apostle Paul said, "The suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Take heart in that and wait on God.
Pastor Chuck