In Immanuel's Land

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: 

and the former shall not be remembered, 

nor come into mind." ― Isaiah 65:17

 

Another world is still to come, waiting for its coming creation. 

 

For now, we have strife, disease, abuse, injustice ― but our hope is firmly settled in a coming day when those evil things won't even be remembered. Our hope rests in the One who will make all things new.

"Of the increase of his government and peace 

there will be no end." ― Isaiah 9:7

Jesus Christ our King will be Ruler over all the earth! Just to dwell on that thought stirs anticipation. Oh that He would come again today! What a great and glorious hope that we've been given! We're waiting and longing for that day, our hope yet unfulfilled. Yet . . . even now, in this present evil world, we can begin to experience the reality of His reign of peace. 

 

When we meekly bow to this sovereign King, we find we experience "no end" to the government and peace of Christ in our lives.

 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

― John 14:27

 

Jesus is the Prince of peace! Just to know His presence gives us security, though wickedness increases all around us. In spite of the evils of this earthly kingdom we exist in, we can be affected much more by the glories of the heavenly kingdom we've been delivered into.

 

Another world is still to come, waiting for its coming creation . . . We "desire a better country, that is, an heavenly" (Heb. 11:6). At times, eyes of faith see His banner of love soaring, a banner of pure scarlet, token of His blood shed for us. It soars as the anthem of His country rings in our hearts, spreading forth the glory of the old rugged cross. 

 

Oh that such a vision would always fill our hearts!

 

For now, we're merely strangers . . . pilgrims passing through an evil land. One day, the things that now bring us so much grief won't be remembered anymore. They will never again come to our minds. We will be totally consumed with Christ's glory!

 

What a joy to know Christ's government and peace each day as we journey to heaven above! May His kingdom have its increase in our hearts until He comes, when all heaven and earth will know the glory of His reign.

 

The sands of time are sinking;

The dawn of heaven breaks;
The summer morn I've sighed for,
The fair sweet morn awakes;
Dark, dark has been the midnight,
But dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land. 

― Samuel Rutherford