Silence: Take a moment to get still and ask God to center your heart on him.
Scripture: 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:5)
Devotional: I have a friend who absolutely LOVES the show Fixer Upper and its stars Chip & Joanna Gaines. I mean she loves them. She has been to Magnolia Market, has a signed and framed picture of them in her house, and I’m sure pre-ordered their new book. It was her love that got me interested in checking them out. If you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know who they are, you can read about them here and their show here.
I didn’t originally understand what the big deal was about Fixer Upper…that was until I watched the show for myself. After the first episode I was hooked. Chip is this goofy country boy who is the ultimate handy man. Joanna is an incredibly talented interior designer and business owner who I’m convinced is a magician. They have an idyllic family and ranch house. I haven’t even gotten to what that actually do. In regards to their show specifically, they take these old run down houses and renovate them into beautiful works of art.
Why am I telling you about Chip & Joanna Gaines and what does that have to do with Advent? At the core of why people love this show is that they are Christians that reflect the love of God and tell the story we all long for – that the old would be made new.
In Revelation we see a promise from God. There is the promise that the one sitting on the throne is making all things new. What does it mean to make all things new? To help me explain I’m going to quote Davy’s Storybook Bible that I read to her at night.
“And the King says, “Look! God and his children are together again. No more running away. Or hiding. No more crying or being lonely or afraid. No more being sick or dying. Because all those things are gone. Yes, they’re forever gone. Everything sad has come untrue. And see- I have wiped away ever tear from ever eye!” And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, “Look, I am making everything new!”
The promise from God is that there will be no more loneliness, fear, sin, pain, sickness, poverty, disease or death. How incredible is that going to be? Just like Chip & Joanna make old houses new, our God will make our mind, bodies and world like brand new.
Therefore, we should have anticipation for Jesus coming back because we can hold onto the promise that God is making all things new, our faith shall become sight and everything sad will come untrue. These words are faithful and true.
Question: What thing are you most excited about being made new when Jesus comes back? That there will be no more disease, poverty, death or something else?
Action: Spend time imagining this new world when Jesus comes back and ask God to give you even greater anticipation for him to return.
Prayer: Father, you promise us that one day you will make all things new. Help me see clearly the brokenness of the world now and help me to grow a greater desire for you to return when everything sad will come untrue.