We have been using up the resources of God’s creation at an alarming rate. That’s scary. This text tells us that God will renew the earth, make things new again, and then dwell with us – not just God in human form, but all of God, here, with us. There will be no more death, no more weeping, mourning and pain. No more fear and loneliness, no more fighting.
This is hard even to imagine, but it is a sure sign of hope for the future. Won’t it be wonderful to see creation in all its glory – pristine lakes, pollution free rivers and oceans, clear skies and rich dark soils all filled with colorful, healthy life forms? We’ve all experienced anxiety-free, anger-free and fear-free moments. Imagine living like that day after day! That will be heaven. Heaven on earth. And living water to drink all day long.
Creator God, you know us, and you forgive us because you love us. We wait impatiently for you to come here to dwell with us in your new heaven and your new earth. We thirst for your living water. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen. — SB