Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSV)
Read Revelation 21:1-6 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 21Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Verse 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Verse 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; Verse 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Verse 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Verse 6Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Devotion
Every time I read this passage I get an image in my mind. Each of us has either been to visit or seen a picture of Lincoln in his Washington, D.C. memorial. I’ve always wanted to climb up, sit in his lap and relax. It’s a powerful statue for me. When I pray, and I mean really pray, I think of climbing into God’s lap, looking into his face and simply having a chat, son to dad. And when I’m sad, the promise is that every tear will be wiped away. No better vision of heaven for me. No better vision of prayer for me.
Prayer
God of hopefulness, help me to remember that you are always more eager to listen than I am to pray. Help me remember that you are eager to comfort me in the midst of my chaotic life, if I would only take the time to climb up, look at you and have a chat. Amen.