SWHW Bible Reading Plan: December 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

Scripture is truly one story. Sure, it encapsulates many years and many people, but all of the Bible comes together to tell a redemptive love story between God and His people.

God created a beautiful world. He created man, and He created woman. And it didn’t take long for His creation to begin searching for happiness outside of Him. Sin entered the world, which is what separates us from God. Because God is perfectly holy, without defect, sin keeps us from Him. 

But God's love isn’t like the love we experience so often here on earth. His love doesn’t have conditions. So in His perfect love, in actions that go beyond our understanding, He sent His son, Jesus, to earth to do what we could never do: live a perfect, sinless life.

And in His death on the cross, Jesus didn’t just die for you and me. He died instead of us. But Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. Three days later, He conquered death. He rose again, He ascended to the Father in Heaven, and He is waiting for the Father to instruct Him to come back to earth for those who believe in Him. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection turned that separation that sin made into not just a way, but the way for us to be reconciled with God.

And with only one chapter shy of the final chapter of God's Word, we get a glimpse of the reconciliation where God once again will dwell among His people (Revelation 21:3), just as He did with Adam and Eve at the beginning (Genesis 3:8-9). 

Take the imagery in:

God Himself will be among them (vs. 3).

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes (vs. 4).

No more death, mourning, crying, or pain (vs. 4).

The glory of the Lord illuminates the new Jerusalem, so there's no longer a need for a sun or a moon (vs. 23).

No need for a temple because God Himself is the temple (vs. 22). 

No more night (vs. 25).

The gates never close (vs. 25).

Nothing unclean (vs. 27). 

No more lying or abominations (vs. 27).

Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (vs. 27).

This is not allegory, friends. This is a glimpse into the eternity that is promised through belief in Jesus. It truly will be more wonderful than we are capable of imagining. 

And eternity is reality. Eternity is forever. Everything on the earth is temporary, and this is the picture we need to remind ourselves of when we start to feel like what happens in this life is too important. 

Eternity is often viewed as the end of our earthly lives, but our earthly lives are really our introduction to eternity. We will have to fight against our flesh and aim to see beyond what our eyes can see. But eternity is ultimately what is real and what lasts. And while we don't know when eternity will begin, we can start living for it now. We don't have to wait, and it is certain. 

Because as He said to John, "Write, for these words are faithful and true" (vs. 5). 

God, this picture of eternity gives us so much hope as we imagine the new heaven and new earth. We long for the day when You will make all things new. We desire for You to remake and renew us. I'll be honest: my imagination can't even fathom what it will be like for You to come down and be with us. To see You in Your fullness and all of Your glory. But God, I'm also picturing those who do not know You. Those who right now are headed for permanent separation from You. Every day, increase my burden for the lost. Send those who do not know You to those of us who do, and use us, God, for Your glory alone. Give us the courage we need and the words to say. Fill us with energy to do Your work until our last breath. We love You. Amen.