7th July 2022
The Father’s amazing plan
… His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:3 (NIV)
I am sure you will agree that we all look forward to some good news. But is that just a pipe dream? Or is there really such a thing as good news? The surprising answer to that question is ‘Yes’ – there is a source of some amazing news. Amid all the trials and difficulties we encounter in life, despite the horror of war, crime, violence, and corruption we read about daily, behind the scenes there is an amazing plan and purpose being worked out. It was initiated before the foundation of the world and, like a golden thread, it weaves its way throughout the pages of the Scriptures. Amazingly, this good news is all about the future of planet earth and is for all humans, past, present, and future. Because there is a brand-new world waiting in the wings, waiting to replace this old world which has seen better days! At that amazing time, it will become the Kingdom of our God (Revelation 11:15), just as surely as the King of that kingdom came as a babe, snuggling in a manger, in a small town called Bethlehem.
As Jesus is born, God becomes man, and this important stage of the Father’s plan is revealed. Was the Father excited? You bet he was. He was waiting for his Son to take his first breath as a human being! Because of that amazing birth another piece of the picture was slotted into place. His life was destined to pay the price that we humans could never pay and because of that payment we have all been reconnected to God; no longer far off, but near; no longer condemned but accepted in Jesus, and we have an opportunity to become children of the Father.
Day by day this plan is unfolding in a very quiet and simple way; Jesus likened it to the way leaven permeates dough: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 NKJV) This is what happens when Jesus returns to usher in ‘a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells’ (2 Peter 3:13).
This is the plan of God for all mankind, his final step in reconciling all things to himself; and how different will this world be? It will be a world where death will no longer exist, where sorrow, crying and pain will no longer dog our footsteps – because all things will be made new! (Revelation 21:1-4). I personally yearn for such a world – I hope you do too.
Prayer
Father, please speed the day when your Son will return in glory to put right everything that is wrong here on planet earth. Amen.
Study by Cliff Neill
About the writer:
Cliff Neill is a Minister in the Hemel Hempstead congregation of Grace Communion International, where he is on the leadership team.
Local congregation:
GCI Hemel Hempstead
Adeyfield Free Church Centre
Maylands Avenue
Hemel Hempstead HP2 4GZ
Meeting time:
Sunday 10:30am
Hemel Hempstead is also on Zoom, please email the congregational contact below for the link
Local congregational contact:
Shirley McLean
Email: hemel@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church