The family’s latest update was hopeful, yet desperately sad. “We know the road is still long, but our little knight is not giving up. His courage and his efforts are just incredible.” Shockingly, someone had thrown their little boy from the tenth floor of London’s Tate Modern gallery in 2019 while they were on holiday; an attack which left him with life-changing injuries.
While justice was served and the attacker went to prison, this boy still lives with the consequences. The family wrote of his many challenges, from memory to fine motor skills. His fatigue and limitations mean that “he also has a really hard time making friends”.
In the end, earthly justice can only go so far. It can’t give the boy or his family their lives back. It can’t bring healing or the promise of a better future.
It’s when life is at its most unfair, maybe unbearable even, that we need the Bible’s final prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Jesus’ return is our hope: “Look, I am coming soon!” (v. 12). This is when true justice will be done (vv. 12–15). And those who trust Christ will know full healing from every kind of pain, sorrow and injustice (v. 2).
When life cruelly robs us of the things that matter most, our hope is not found in this world, but in the vision of Revelation 22. Strength and peace rise as we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
How do the promises and visions of Revelation’s last chapter give you hope when your heart is aching? In what circumstances do you most need to learn to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus”?
Come, Lord Jesus. And as I wait for You, please be my strength and my peace for every pain and injustice I suffer.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, he writes about Revelation 22:1–5: “The presence of God in heaven is the health and happiness of the saints. . . . The devil has no power there . . . . There will be no night; no affliction or dejection, no pause in service or enjoyment: no diversions or pleasures of man’s inventing will be desired there.” In this “new heaven and earth,” Jesus will wipe away our tears and “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (21:4 ). The promise of an end to our suffering can bring a glimmer of hope and joy to our life when we face difficulties, but the brightest hope comes in the knowledge that one day we as His followers will be in the presence of our Lord who loves us. Free from temptation, free from sin, and free from pain and sadness and death, we’ll have only joy in the service of the King!
How does the promise of this bright future help you today when you face troubles and trials? What about heaven do you most anticipate?
Alyson Kieda
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