Marie’s daily verse: 

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. . ”

DAILY DEVOTION, January 1, 2023

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  (Revelation 21:1)

In 1950 I was 14 years old. For some reason, I wondered if I would be alive in the year 2000. I would be an old man, 64 years old! Well, I made it to the year 2000 and am still kicking in the year 2023. God is good.

John anticipates something better than a new year. He sees a new heaven and a new earth. He catches a glimpse of what God has planned for the future. This old world as we know it is marked for destruction. A new earth is coming. I guess that is what we call “heaven” Part of the newness will be in the fact that sin, evil, disease and death will be banished forever. It will be what Milton called “Paradise Restored” in his 1671 poem.

This present life is good, especially for those who trust in Jesus and know an even better day is coming. It will not be a new year but a new world. I can’t imagine the details of what this new world will be like, but I plan to find out. The admission price is simple. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). But is it true? If you have a better plan, let me know!

Father, as we face a New Year, we also anticipate a new world. It will be infinitely superior to the world we live in now. This world is marred by sin. Thank you for the forgiveness we receive from Jesus. May we live each day to bring honor to His name, Amen.