Having been inaugurated through Christ, God’s already-active kingdom will be fully established when Jesus returns.
In summer, it’s easy to forget the long slog of late winter. I live in the Northeast, where February paints a world of gray and brown, and March brings even more cold, plus rain and mud. These are the days when deep blue skies and canopies of green feel like a barely remembered dream. And yet, those brighter days are just as real as the cold ones. No matter how lifeless winter trees appear, you can see the promise growing in sleeping buds.
Today’s reading from Luke reminded me of this truth, but on a much grander, heavier scale. This passage is part of a larger series of Jesus’s teachings in the temple at Jerusalem, shortly before the events leading to His arrest, trial, and death. In these passages, we see Him responding to the challenges to His authority and debating religious leaders on matters practical and philosophical. After making proclamations about disastrous, future destruction for the temple and Jerusalem, He launches into a dramatic account of the end of the age—of “signs in the sun, moon, and stars,” when “people will faint from fear,” before seeing “the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:25–27).
Throughout the Church’s history, there has been much debate and theological wrestling with what these proclamations mean, and yet, Jesus makes one thing abundantly clear: Frightening things will happen, yet we should not be afraid (John 16:33).
It’s the message in Isaiah’s image of the peaceful kingdom. Despite terror and destruction, new life grows from the felled forest. “A shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse” and make all things right, a King we now recognize in Jesus (Isaiah 11:1). We may see fear and destruction as a tragic, yet typical, part of life on earth, but the kingdom of God subverts all that, remaking a world where violence will be undone, where a groaning creation will be liberated (Romans 8:19–21).
When Jesus spoke those words in the temple, He was days away from ushering in this chapter of this renewal story. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom to come, displayed His power and glory, and proved that death and violence don’t have the final word.
Here’s another interesting fact about trees. Those buds you see in springtime? They were grown in the summer, hidden by flourishing leaves. But we usually don’t notice them until we’re sick of winter and looking for hope.
May we, in this never-ending winter of the world, in these cycles of violence and pain and loss, continue to endure without losing heart. May we find the courage to tend the buds of new creation through our love and peacemaking, watching and waiting for the day they burst into life without end.
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69 thoughts on "The Kingdom is Coming"
Lord, may we eagerly wait for you – being about the business of your kingdom – witnessing and passing the baton of the gospel to the next generation. Being bold and courageous to share hope with others and serve you with our whole being.
Today’s reading is so complex. Pain and suffering are certain, yet Jesus came to vindicate the poor and the oppressed. To heal our brokenness. Lord, may we keep our eyes fixed on YOUR WORD that is stable and true when our hearts and our lives aren’t.
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He is coming soon. Hallelujah!
Amen ❤️. Prepare our hearts, Lord, for Your coming.
Amen!!
Dear Paula, I will be praying for your daughter’s health and surgery. I’m sorry you are dealing with this. Praying for you to feel Jesus’ presence.
Winter seasons are rough. I too have been in one, but I encourage you to pick up your bible, pray. Pray a lot. The only thing that’s gotten me through is prayer and staying close to Jesus. He’s working! Praying for you Victoria!
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Lord renew our Hope. Let Your Word burn in our hearts and minds. In Jesus name, Amen
Powerful inspirational word of God
I think the coming of the kingdom of God is especially poignant and that He would want us to slow down, enjoy the simple moments and love each other. Max Lucado said to enjoy the ordinary for it brings most joy.
It’s hard for us to watch our children suffer and I pray that God will strengthen you Paula through this time
Praying Paula for your daughter may she continue to have peace and may the doctors be given wisdom in her situation
Paula, prayed for you sweet girl ❤️ Peace to you and your family.
I’m so sorry…praying for you and your daughter. She sounds like an amazing girl.
Be courageous in god he got you!
Paula,
I am so very sorry and I am praying for you and your precious daughter this morning. May God give you answers. May he bring healing! Regardless, may his presence give you strength and somehow, supernaturally, be enough. Oh, sister, sending love, hope and prayers this morning.
Frightening things are happening. I am so struggling with this. I have a daughter with a weak immune system and now needs heart surgery. Where do I draw the line between protecting her and fear? It’s so hard. The world is so angry. My daughter says she knows she’s going to heaven and wants to live her life. She’s 16. Oh it’s so hard being a mother. Praying this ends soon or I know what to do. Praying for an answer. I know God is in charge but yes I do fear for health. I don’t want her to suffer.
I’m so sorry Paula, I can’t imagine my 16 year old daughter going through that. I’m praying for God’s peace for you both right now.
The Kingdom of God has already come and today’s Christians missed Him as though the LORD has not yet been glorified (John 7:39). When the LORD comes back on the cloud, will be man’s physical death and no one seems to be ready but it’ll be too late (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Jesus said in Mark 9:1
“…Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power” and Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5) came “with power” (Mark 9:1) on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2-4) when “His power came upon us” (Acts 1:8) after Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5).
How many years ago has it been since Jesus promised “…there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power?”
Help us LORD Jesus!
Danielle thank you I will look for it !
I love how she said we don’t often notice the buds of a tree until we are sick of winter…. I love that analogy! When we are sick, not in a judgemental way but in a sad way, of all the sin in this world, we will notice the buds appearing. Come quickly lord Jesus.
Yes and Amen!
This was a very real reminder that the turmoil around us is a signifier! The groans happening in our country signify the end. Oh lord. Come quickly!
Grateful for this reminder that Jesus is coming back again!!!!
VICTORIA E – Oops! Replied to you on Grace Day (Isaiah 61:9)!
Such powerful Scripture and a wonderful devotion!
May God bless each of you and may all that posted prayer requests, and those that didn’t, receive a special encounter with our God today. May He do what only He can do in each situation. He knows every need. May you all be encouraged and know His love in a unique way today. Amen
Jesus is coming soon.
I love this devotional today about the kingdom that is coming. May we put our hope in that kingdom, and not in the kingdom that is passing away. I’m so glad that one day we won’t have to deal with sickness, decay and disappointments.
Victoria, I am praying for you. I’m praying the Lord gives you His peace, comfort, joy and hope. I know that he sees you, even when you can’t feel it and he is guiding you, even when you can’t see the way.
“If we suffer with Him, we also reign with Him.” I love love this verse, showing our suffering for Jesus is never vain, but with a reward to co-reign with Him to come, to co-reign with the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, isn’t that the greatest privilege and honor? The promise God gives us is grand. And after you have suffered a little while, The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,[a] will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you. (1 Peter 5:10). This gives me such hope for brighter days ahead to come, after months and months of the dark and cold winter, but God, for sure, and for sure, brighter days of hope are coming. Praise the Lord.
Lifting up our sisters in prayers.
May God be with Fran in her surgery, may wisdom and diligence be given to doctors and nurses who care for Fran. May comfort and cheer be poured out through people around her so she feels loved during this prolonged isolation.
Tina, dear sweet Tina, may God bless you and your friend with more strength, hope, joy, and as you minister to her. May abundant grace cover both of you so that she can overcome her “winter” season. Sweeter days are ahead. She is so blessed to have you. We are so blessed to have you.
Struggling, thank you so much for coming back. You are so loved. The love of God is real, and what you wrote touched me so much. Please remember that no situation is too far for God to reach, to restore and to redeem. He is the way maker. He will make a way for you. Be glad and rejoice for He got you. God bless you.
Heidi, you made me chuckle at your target receipt situation. I share the same sentiment on several occasions. Bless you Heidi.
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I’ve been clinging to Luke 1:45. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
I’m also struggling friends. I intellectually understand the readings and devotional from today but what happens when the winter is too much to bear? For me physical winter is so much that I moved our family to Southern California because of my seasonal affective disorder. Spiritually I feel like I’m in a winter season and I can’t get on a plane to a better location. Help?
Struggling- we all love you!
I can’t wait for that day when the buds of my Christian life come to full bloom. I learn more all the time.
Lord help me to bloom where You plant me. Allow me to continue to walk in Your love and be a symbol of You and Your ways. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend sisters.
PAMC – FRAN will be in my prayers! She has already demonstrated such strength in the waiting and fighting infection and setbacks. Praying for wisdom for the caregivers and that God grants her the endurance to hang in there and that she will grow closer to Him in this process. You are a blessing for allowing us the opportunity to pray along with you. I remember HEIDI taking screenshots of comments to encourage her husband a year ago. She recommended the same to Struggling today and I agree on that!
Tina, adding my prayers to everyone’s here for you & your friend. Struggling, I was grateful to see your comments. This community is amazing, the love healing, because of Jesus. We love & pray for you & each other & each other’s friends, families….
I have a friend I’d like to ask you might prayer warriors to lift up. Her name is Fran. She has been in a care facility for two (2!) years waiting for them to start knee replacement surgery. She has fought infections, doctors that wanted to just amputate, Covid & those restrictions, being cut off from friends & church. She was Finally scheduled & a snaffu sidelined the surgery again 2 days before …. That was March, and earlier this month. I hadn’t heard anything and finally this morning I got a response…she’s been crying and depressed for a month. Who could blame her! Please, y’all, pray.
Good word, Diana!
I, too, am so blessed by all these insightful comments each day! Thanks to all who share your hearts!
STRUGGLING – I have been there with the inability to cry even when I wanted to. Praying that episode was the dam breaking to allow God’s love for you to flow freely once more. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of sharing your pain and for keeping us posted. Embrace the grace and love.
TINA, you and your friend are in my prayers. What a blessing you will be to her!
Have a blessed weekend, sisters, and keep on hoping!
The reading from Timothy stood out the most to me today. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” Jesus is loving, patient, faithful, comforting not because of how others around him act, but because he is all those things and more to his core. May I strive to be like that! To love because I am incapable of anything else. To be patient and obedient because my very being prevents me from being anything else.
This is a beautiful devotion!!! From the study book I wrote down some of the things we are to be doing:
1. Walk in the Spirit
2. Be alert, and aware of the signs
3. Be on guard. Pray for strength.
4. When suffering, keep my eyes on the future glory
5. Hang on to hope
6. Wait with patience
7. Keep my mind sharp
8. Keep my focus on Jesus
Amen, Linda thank you.
Loved this mornings readings and all of your comments. What a blessing to my morning. Such good scripture, “Hope that is seen is not Hope, indeed if we hope for what we do not see we eagerly wait for it with patience.”Roman 8:24-25 Indeed, And we can hope because we know our God is sovereign, a God of miracles, who is faithful and Mighty and full of grace. Oh Sisters what joy is our Jesus. I hear Him in your comments and am thankful you are out there sharing His love in this world. Keep shining keep praying, keep hoping, keep trusting, keep Searching He is faithful. Give us eyes to see Lord all you are doing. Help us to join in and give you glory Father. Hugs to you all. Thank you for the light!! Struggling, He loves you so!!! Blessed Beth praising God your surgery restored vision. Web, I love Isaiah, I will try to read it as well. Tina joining prayers for your friend. Glory to God in the highest and peace to you all this day. ❤️
I am so thankful there is hope for the future!
Blessed to read all your comments today. Lifting up Tina, her friend, and Struggling. God bless each one of you!❤️
“Peacemaking“ stood out to me this morning as I head for work. Fridays is my early day and I start work at 7 AM. And I walk. I will be praying for all of you. STRUGGLING I am so glad you were encouraged I’ve been praying for you on my walks to work. SEARCHING Thank you so much for praying I feel loved.  I can’t wait to meet you all Sunday. Happy Friday my dear sisters!
KEEGLY, did I read right you passed your exam? And you are a pilot? Pray for me as I will be flying in June. I haven’t gone for years. It will just be my daughter and I for a wedding.
It’s a dreary damp day here in the Mid-Atlantic. It’s easy to feel a little melancholy when it’s Spring but still feels like winter. As I look out my window I see the buds on the trees and the flowers trying to stand tall and I’m encouraged by what I see. It may feel like winter but it is still Spring. It may feel like God is distant when we see such violence and anger and hostility around us. But God(oh Tina dear friend). When I read His Word, I’m reminded that Hope is here. Feelings are so fickle and sight can be deceiving. The Word of the Lord stands firm forever. Every promise is assured.
STRUGGLING-so glad to see your post and I agree with my sisters here that this is an amazing community that stands in the gap for each other when all we have ourselves are groans. Praying peace over you today.
TINA praying as you visit your friend that you will be Jesus hands and feet to her.
One of the sweet clients at the mission where I volunteer died of Covid last week and her loss is felt greatly especially as there are no visitors allowed in hospitals as we battle the 3rd wave. Lord please surround those alone with your loving kindness.
I continue to lift up all those on the frontlines for protection from this virus and for opportunities to truly rest as I know so many are exhausted in all areas of work. Medical, retail, teachers, transit, sanitation, support workers, shelters, charities, churches and so many more.
I like to think that God intentionally made the flowers and trees like that…where the buds are hidden during the darkest parts of the year. And just at the right time, Jesus came. And he died, in the spring (I would have to fact check that, but I assume Passover was in the spring?), when all the flowers come to life. The creation came back to life at the same time that the Son of God was paying the price for ETERNAL life for all who believed. A season of life in creation reflected what Jesus did on the cross. Pay for our sins and bring us from DEATH to LIFE. Thank you God for how you paint your character into creation. You’re in the details.
Lifting up Tina in prayer as you minister to your hurting friend and Struggling thank you for coming back to this space! I’ve also cried with gratitude after posting a painful request and seeing the way this community gathers around in prayer and encouragement. It’s on of the many reasons why I keep coming back! Thank you Angie for sharing my HOPE is built on NOTHING LESS than JESUS. Christ alone. While it’s SO easy to get caught up in the woes of this world, may I anchor my hope in Him and “endure without losing heart”.
Have a blessed weekend sisters! <3
Romans 8:24-25 “Now in this hope we were saved, BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.”
This scripture stood out to me today, especially the part I put in CAPS. Such a great and convicting reminder!!
I am also continually amazed at the insight and prophecy in Isaiah, so I will be reading that book chapter by chapter along with our SRT devotionals, if any of you would like to join me, let me know!!
Lots of love, prayers and blessings to each of you, always ❤️
Struggling, we are praying for you. Whatever is going on in your world there is a constant God enveloping you in love. He is always faithful. I hope you continue to feel that, because you are loved!
“In these cycles of violence, pain and loss let us endure without losing heart” what a powerful thing to read after seeing so much violence and pain in every news feed that I read these days.
I thank you Lord for the match-light of your grace we see in other believers. I thank you for the flame your Holy Spirit ignites as our match-life strikes upon your Word. And Lord God, I look forward with awe, wonder, and fearful-reverence to the day your brilliant Light shines upon us face to face. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus. Amen.
TINA – praying for you this morning. I know the Lord will give you the words needed, or hugs to share as you show His love to your friend.
STRUGGLING – so glad to see you today! Continuing to pray for you – we may not know your specific needs, but God does.
KRISTIN – praying for your nephew and family.
OLUSEYIA – happy birthday!
LUCY, PAT P, MARI V, VICTORIA, MISSI/daughter, others – praying for each of you, for strength, encouragement, hope, healing, wisdom, guidance. I remind myself that God sees us and all our struggles, needs and heartbreaks – and from a devo a while back, that He is doing 10,000 things for us even though we may only see a few. He loves us and hears our prayers even when we may feel that no one hears us or understands.
AND ANOTHER THING! ;)- Screenshot the encouragement on these pages… When your enemy comes back to discourage, have these notes to read and remind yourself that you have. God using His people to love and encourage you… ❤️
SORRY! “You’re”… not “your”… my word that irritates me…
Sending prayer and love to you in your struggles and tears. Praying they’re transformed into tears of joy in hope even in the sorrow ❤️
I have to get out early this morning so will be returning later to read more comments and offer prayers… but before I head out-
STRUGGLING- :) Your loved lady… all there is to it. By your Heavenly Father, your sisters in Christ, and so many others. And no worries, I’ve often cried in a target parking lot… usually over the receipt after having only intended to get toothpaste and detergent.. ;) ;) ;) But I’ve been similar to where you are, needing the prayers of this community, and in every strange place checking back in to see if someone had left a comment back only to find they had and I would sit and cry in gratitude. And know this- so many of us DON’T always have time to post but are still praying- so add that to the amazement of Christ’s love for us! :) Hoping and praying that you will soon find new identity over yourself, but until then, be comforted and encouraged knowing your so loved in the middle of your struggling…❤️
Struggling: yea! So happy you were encouraged. That is God’s love for you in action. Praying He will continue to manifest His love for you as you move closer to Him.
Tina: praying that you will be the hands and feet of Jesus to your friend.
On a whimsical side note about the Isaiah passage, I cannot wait to hug a lion like Lucy hugged Aslan! Or maybe ride a giraffe!
Have a blessed day
Praying for you Tina! God is using you mightily!
I was blessed to have cataract surgery yesterday, yes blessed as I awoke this AM I was so excited to see the vivid colors. May God refresh the vision of each of us daily.
PRAYING FOR YOU TINA!
You are so loved.x
May we, in this never-ending winter of the world, in these cycles of violence and pain and loss, continue to endure without losing heart. May we find the courage to tend the buds of new creation through our love and peacemaking, watching and waiting for the day they burst into life without end.
I woke up at 6am, to a message from a friend thst just said “I need help”
This was sent just after midnight!
She for sure is in a ‘winter’ period, and life is not as she hoped or wants.. it has been difficult for her..
I have been in dialogue with her and shall be setting off shortly to go give her a hug and spend time with her..
I pray I can be Jesus’ to her, that the spirit will give me the words to say, and lead me in the time I spend with her..
Asking for prayer dear sisters.. for wisdom, and purity of heart, to go in as the person God created me to be in His image.. to love and not judge..to bring words of hope not destruction, to lift up not tear down. To bring hope..
Lord in your mercy, hear my prayer and the prayers of those that join me..help us raise an Hallelujah for your Glory..
Amen.
Thank you my SRT family, thank you in advance wrapped in love and gratitude and thankfulness for you all.. Be Blessed. ❤
STRUGGLING, Love will do that! Know that you are prayed for daily and continuously. Good to see you here this morning. Praying Gods loving and comforting arms around you as you go through this day. You are a child of God and He will never leave you NOR forsake you. Sending prayers wrapped in love and hugs..❤
I’ve never left a comment before that one I impulsively confided to this space on Day 1. I don’t know what I expected…but the way so many of you “gathered around” me pouring out encouragement and hope and sharing in my hurt – even without knowing what it is! – I’m undone. I hardly ever cry anymore even when I wish I could…but there I was, in the Target parking lot between errands, sitting in my car scrolling your comments with tears raining down. So I just wanted to come back and say thank you. I will keep reading and sharing. <3