Church devotion: There Will Come a Time - Psalm 92:7

Psalm 92:7    Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

            There are times when I read and hear about suicide bombings, terrorist killings, and the slaying of innocents that I despair of humanity. Our inhumanity toward one another is an evil scourge that scars our planet, making me wonder that if there is other life in the universe, are those extra-terrestrial beings avoiding us because of our wretched wickedness.

            Every week, there seems to be another unbelievable violent incident reported across the globe. We spin through space, twirling around the Sun, making our way across the universe, leaving behind a trail of blood, war, and destruction that has become the hallmark of who we are in the great journey of Life. Sadly, our madness may one day become our unmaking, and our insanity may lead us into extinction.

            The world we live in is a beautiful place! We are surrounded with majestic mountains, wonderful seascapes, amazing land formations, and an abundance of living beings that make us unique in the entire universe. Why can’t we live peacefully and love one another? Why can’t we all just stop being brutal and learn to live together in this precious planet we all call home?

            According to our faith, there will come a time when our story ends and wickedness will be destroyed forever. Evil will be no more and death itself will be over and done. Then, as the scriptures tell us, God will once again abide with us and we will at last enjoy His Creation lovingly, peacefully, and eternally. No more bombings, no more slayings, no more war. No more cruelty, no more wickedness, no more evil – for those former things will have passed away, nevermore to be experienced, endured, or encountered.

            It is a future hope, but it is also something that we can aspire toward, apply, and advance today. As Christ Himself commanded, let us love one another, for after all is said and done, loving one another is the only thing that will endure forever.

Question for reflection:    To whom should I show God’s love today?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You have commanded us to love one another, but we have been poor witnesses of those words. Forgive our failure to live lovingly, peacefully, and faithfully. Help us to overcome our fear, pride, or even anger, in order to love all those we encounter this day. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is on of John’s bulletin cover images called “Love One Another.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Love.