Temporarily

Imagine if you will (if you can remember Rod Sterling's voice at the opening of the Twilight Zone.. you're old... but that's okay)... cause it will help set the scene...

... having to work with a constant hammer all around you, with the sound of heavy machinery moving forward and back - the incessant bleating of their back-up alarms...

and you'd be here at New Hope this morning.

We're no strangers to noise here, as the Armed Services provide jet and helicopter noise by the ton and we even have days when explosions as bombs are tested rock the homes around here. But all morning the noise has been hard to bear.

Across the street, they are building a child care center. From what I am told, it will be a wonderful place for kids, with many advantages for them. So I guess I'll just have to endure the noise for a little while. It's only temporary.

In our readings for the 40 Days of Purpose, we come to Day 6 today - LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT.

It struck me as I sat here and shook, that so much of the "noise" we worry, fret, gripe and complain over is temporary too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the problems you have aren't real, but if they aren't about your eternal destiny, or that of another - they are temporary. And they will be vanquished.

Rev. 21:3-4 (Msg)
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. [4] He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone."

Can you imagine?

Death - gone!
Tears - of want, of worry, of fear - Gone!
Pain - from loneliness, from heartache, from lack, from physical ailments

GONE! Just as Jesus said they would be.

John 16:33 (Msg)
In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

One day we'll see those troubles disappear, and our lives become what we've always dreamed of. Until then, practice following Jesus, and don't get to attached to this world, or too aggravated by the "noise." We are only here temporarily.

Grace!


David Wilson

This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.