“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” Revelation 21:5
I serve a God that says, “Behold, I will make all things new!”
This past week I watched more football than I have ever watched in a single week. For those who know me they would be amazed. In those games I heard and witnessed coaches in victory, defeat and frustration. Players were exhausted, discouraged while others were equally energized and enthusiastic. Victory and defeat. Those in victory fed like a frenzy off the encouragement and belief in their coaches to “press on” and finish strong! Those in defeat required a bit more propping up. A tough task even for the most experienced coach. But in that locker room, on that side-line, in the huddle, I can assure you there is no backing down of what could be. There is nothing withholding the reminders, the reflection, the truth of what got them on that field.
God gave us a reminder, an image to reflect upon — the Truth of what got us in His loving arms day in and day out. Something to constantly and forever ponder in those moments when we tend to forget about who leads us into victory and who is seated on the throne, by our side, when we feel a sense of defeat.
God is standing in the locker room and huddle of our life and getting our attention . . . “Behold!” It’s a locker room, half-time pep talk, if I’ve ever seen one! “Behold, I will make ALL things new!” VICTORY!!!
But I spin around to see the win, find the scoreboard, check the yards and time till the buzzer sounds. The lights are bright, the stands have cleared, the roar is dim . . . but I no longer see the hash marks, the field rises to the end zone and in place of the goal post . . . is the beauty of the cross! Whether in victory or sensing defeat, the cross is ALWAYS there!
The straight way to a perpetual newness and freshness of holy youth is to go to Christ again, just as we did at the first. A better thing still is never to leave him, but to stand for ever at the cross-foot delighting yourself in his all-sufficient sacrifice.
They that are full of the joy of the Lord never find life grow weary. Getting near to Christ, you will partake in his joy, and that joy shall be your strength, your freshness, the newness of your life. God grant us to drink of the eternal founts, that we may for ever overflow.
Charles Spurgeon