God’s kingdom is characterized by service, humility, justice, righteousness, joy, and peace.
A lot of things haven’t gone like I wanted them to. I think I meant to stay skinnier, make more money, and be a world-famous flautist by now. As I was growing up, the world was constantly telling me to stand up for myself, get what was mine, hurt who I needed to hurt in order to make myself feel good. And man, it’s tempting to shake your flute at people and demand your own way. You may not have a flute to wield, but you get the idea. Sometimes, I just want to give a giant tuba toot when someone tells me I can’t get my security deposit back because of what may or may not have happened to a lamp that was ugly in the first place.
We want to organize our lives according to the kingdom of the world—a world where we demand what we think is owed to us and where the highest good is money and power. But what if the kingdom of the world is passing away? And what if the only lasting kingdom is God’s upside-down economy? Then everything the world holds dear is dust and ashes and we must look to His kingdom for our hope.
What is the nature of the kingdom of heaven? Scripture gives us a surprisingly rich and wide range of descriptions of God’s kingdom. It is vast, and its prosperity will never end; the zeal of the Lord will accomplish it (Isaiah 9:7). His kingdom brings freedom to captives and healing to the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). It is a comfort and provision to all who mourn (vv.2–3). He will replace shame with a double portion of blessing (v.7). Even now, His kingdom is near and calls for our repentance (Matthew 4:17).
Each of these descriptions could bear deeper study, but one of my favorites is His promise of healing for the brokenhearted. The kingdom of God is personal and offers profound relief from all the heartbreak of living. Sure, there was a time when I was honestly heartbroken about my flute-related failures, yet there is hope and healing in the kingdom of heaven for even these disappointments. I can put my angry tuba away and stop fighting for myself because He will make all things right.
This promise of healing for our deepest, most degrading, and agonizing heartbreaks is the hope the world is longing for. Our most awful pain will be fully healed in the kingdom of heaven. The world is hurting and longing for this truth. We must remember that God loves us and invites us to repent and believe. His kingdom is near, and it is vast, bringing comfort, blessing, and hope. He brings good news to the poor, heals the brokenhearted, brings liberty to captives, and comforts all who mourn (Isaiah 61:1–2). Thanks be to our God and the utter goodness of His kingdom.
Hello everyone! I have been reading with SRT for years now and I don’t think I have ever posted before. If anyone feels inclined to pray for my brand new nephew Hudson, I would be very appreciative. He was born yesterday afternoon and swallowed some amniotic fluid and was having trouble breathing. They put him in the NICU with oxygen last night and they want him there for another day as well. My brother and sister-in-law are not believers so I am asking for physical healing for Hudson as well as for them to feel the presence and peace of God. Thank you so much in advance :)
LUCY ANDERSON, dear sister, take heart, God is closer than you know, walking alongside, and gently wrapping His arms around you. There is much going on these days, But God, Jesus, has the victory over it all.. hold fast to Him and trust that He has not forsaken you, far from it. He is close.. hold fast my dear sister..
Will continue to hold you up in prayer❤
TRICIA, God bless you for your kind words..and prayer of blessing on my day..thankful for you and out journey here..
Hugs..❤
Lucy, don’t give up! This world can be so harsh and cold. But there is so much more. You were created on purpose for a purpose. Cling to that!❤️
PAT PLOPPER, sending you much love and hugs wrapped in prayers for peace in you heart and soul. The pain of loss is always there, because those we loved and lost,were loved beyond love itself.. But God.. and only God, can heal and ease that pain, bringing peace and the hope that one day, our broken hearts will for sure be healed once and for all..and we will be united with those we love in paradise..
Thy kingdom come Lord God.
Amen.
Love and prayer wrapped hugs coming across the pond to you Pat. ❤
MARI V, Sorry to hear of your weariness. Hoping God cover you with His strength and remind you thst, this too, will pass, because He is good. Always has been and always will be.. He’s got you my dear.. sending you love wrapped hugs..❤
OLUSEYI A, I am sorry for your recent loss, and pray you know you are not alone in your loss. God is with you and your siblings and He will never forsake you..
I am sure I will remember tomorrow, just in case, may I wish you a very, very Happy and God blessed birthday..Blessings wrapped in love and hugs dear sister..❤
LUCY ANDERSON – Lifting you in prayer today. That Jesus would flood your heart with his light and his love. That grace would help you lift your eyes to Him even in the biggest of hurts and the most devastating of circumstances. Continue to lean on him every day. He wastes nothing. Trust that there is a purpose for the heart ache & an opportunity to serve Him through it. You are beautiful sister & you are loved!
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10