God, the Color; Praise, the CanvasSample

Day 4: The Kingdom

When I wake up, I think to myself “what is my hope today?”  You can say, “my hope is Jesus” and you would be absolutely right. But what is it about Jesus that gives you hope?  My thoughts go directly to Jesus saying, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Jesus is telling us that there is something better coming.  My imagination suddenly takes over with the hopes of a coming kingdom.  The Bible hints at so many things we will see in the kingdom, but much of the kingdom exists in the realm of mysterious glory.  The gaps in my understanding are filled with the power and goodness of God.  Reflect today on the day when the kingdom is all around us.

To God

You are making everything new, O Lord.  Your kingdom is unlike any other.   Kings and priests are made from dust.  Beasts are made gentle.  The immovable mountains move as if they had wheels.  The waters flow in deserts and dry land.  The swords of the nations rest at the bottom of the sea- a rusted memory of a fallen world.

There is one God King able to rule such a place.  You love justice and mercy at the same time.  Your ways are incomprehensible and Your Word is complete.  All nations bow to you in honor, and yet You would make yourself low to save just one in Your kingdom.  May Your thorned crown shine like gold.  

The kings of men are so different, we struggle to imagine the reign of the God-man.  Kings of our age try to fix, judge, and pacify.  It is all sinking sand.  They try to promise, predict, and pledge.  It is all chasing after the wind.  Your Word is unfailing.  Your promises are true.  There is none like You, Lord.  Nations rise up and fall.  You remain forever.  Your reign shall not rust or tarnish.  The glory of Your name shines as bright as the sun.  Your throne is lifted up among the chants of “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

How can I be worthy of serving You, King of Kings?  How can I be worthy of living in Your kingdom, Lord of Lords?  If my credit to righteousness is my faith- I will hold fast to my faith.  If my strength is hope- I will lift my hope in You.  If my victory is my faith- I will surrender all else.  

What a place Your kingdom will be!  May it be on earth as it is in heaven.  Sickness shall wither because Your healing hand is mighty.  Death shall die because you hold the keys.   The wind will whisper the song of Your praise because You are worthy.  The presence of Your glory will light our paths.  Complete justice.  Final peace.  Undeniable truth.  Lord, the day is coming.  What a place Your kingdom will be!