“The words I, your God, speak will never return to me empty. They WILL do what I desire and perform what I purpose. This is why you can be certain joy, and peace will be your traveling companions as I lead you now, and all the way Home.
Creation is testifying to what I am doing for you and through you. Even now, listen and look for singing mountains and caroling hills, and happy trees clapping their limbs and leaves. Because one Day the entire earth will be filled with my glory. I neither lie nor exaggerate.” (Paraphrase of Isa. 55:11–12; Hab.2:14; Titus 1:2)
Gracious Father, you know how much I love mountains and trees of all shapes and sizes, varieties and foliage. And there are moments when I do hear them singing, clapping, and can imagine them clogging with joy. Like the day I stepped off the train in the village of Interlaken, Switzerland, when you hammered me with the holy wonder of three of your Alps—the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau. I can still see, smell, feel, and taste the sensual overload of that day.
But yesterday too—in my little Franklin, TN neighborhood—you lit up the morning sky with a unique tapestry of clouds that gave me the joy and peace you promise, and most fully give us in Jesus. Thank you for giving us hints, whispers, and downpayments of the life and world we will forever enjoy when Jesus returns to finish making all things new. Soon, Lord, please.
There is SO much we don’t like in our world right now. We long and ache for the perfect order, society, environment, and world of the new heaven and new earth (Rev.21:1-22:6). You have spoken it, you have promised it, and so shall it be! Your Word will accomplish everything you decree and all your delights. Thank you, and So Very Amen.