Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

6 June 2024

Reading From Proverbs 13-15

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

–Proverbs 13:12

     There are seasons of life when it seems as though good times will never come and when it rains, it pours.  Looking for a better job, searching for an affordable place to live, praying for a rebellious child or whatever it may be, God sees you and He understands.  This world is not functioning as He intended.  We no longer live in Eden in our present reality, but if we exercise our free moral agency and choose to place our faith and trust in Jesus, then we have Eden in our hearts and every day is one day closer to when we will live with God in the New Eden.

     Unfortunately, we’re not there yet.  Eden is an already but not yet principle.  A born again believer is saved at the moment of conversion, but our salvation will be complete when Jesus returns and rescues us.  While we struggle through our lives on Earth, our faith grows stronger by relying on God, even when times are bad.  When we find ourselves in situations that seem hopeless, it helps to read God’s Word the Bible and be reminded there are brighter days ahead.  If we persevere in the faith, we will see the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to His children.

     Sometimes disappointment never seems to end and we wonder what horrible event will happen to us next?  This makes our hearts sick.  What is the remedy for this spiritual illness?  Ever person is different and every life path is unique and so for some the solution might be the encouragement of a brother or sister in Jesus, a Scripture that prophetically speaks to them and their particular struggle, the help of a Christ-centered therapist, or a myriad of other aids God provides.  Whatever happens, don’t give up.  Keep moving forward in faith.  Even in our darkest days, the promises of God are still true.

“God, I don’t have all the answers to life’s problems, but I’m grateful that You do.  Help me to rely on You for strength, peace and hope even when my situation seems impossible.  With You, all things are possible.  I pray for my brothers and sisters that they would not lose hope.  Bring the courage we need to persevere to the end.  The strength and power we need to remain faithful can only come from You.  I pray specifically for people who are persistently praying and working toward the fulfillment of certain goals in life that just don’t seem to be coming to pass.  Meet them where they are at and bless them with the light of hope.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.”

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. –Psalm 40:1

     Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. –I Chronicles 16:11

 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. –Romans 12:12

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

–Revelation 21:4