It’s that time again. Alexis A, Goring has so graciously provided us with another great devotion. And it’s one that I really needed! Life hasn’t been easy for me this week between side effects from my chemo and a strong reaction to my booster Covid shot. This verse definitely touched my heart. Thanks Alexis.

End of Story: God Restores!

A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

“Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.”

–1 Peter 5:10 (ERV)

I remember this story about a school janitor with an elementary education. After school one afternoon, a teacher saw him reading a Bible. The teacher asked him how he could understand with only an elementary education. The janitor replied, “I understand that in the end, God wins!”

This story reminds me of the day when one of my college classmates told our English literature class that she always reads the end of a book before she reads the beginning. That way she knows how the story will end, which helps her to determine if the book is worth reading.

I found hope in that with a spiritual parallel.

The story of life on Earth is worth reading for all those who seek God and believe in Him because we know that our story with Jesus (Christ) ends well. It ends in eternal life in Heaven and later on the Earth made new. The Earth made new by God will be FREE of all the side effects of sin: sickness, disease, death, pain, injustice, sorrow, brokenness, despair, destruction, calamities, wars and rumors of wars. We will build houses for ourselves that we’ll never have to sell and nobody but us will inhabit (Isaiah 65:22).

But prior to the Earth made new, we’ll experience Heaven in the Presence of God where He will wipe away every tear from all the pain we endured during our time on Earth (Revelation 21:4). God is in the restoration business! Just like the song “God Restores” by Dynamic Praise says, God will restore our mind and soul. God’s healing power will make us whole!

I’d like to end this devotional with hope for your heart, straight from God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Let’s read Isaiah 65:17-25 (ERV):

A New Time Is Coming

“I am creating a new heaven and a new earth.
The troubles of the past will be forgotten.
    No one will remember them.
My people will be happy and rejoice forever and ever
    because of what I will make.
I will make a Jerusalem that is full of joy,
    and I will make her people happy.

“Then I will rejoice with Jerusalem.
    I will be happy with my people.
There will never again be crying
    and sadness in that city.
In that city there will never be a baby who lives only a few days,
    and every older person will live for a long, long time.
A person who lives 100 years will be called young.
    And whoever doesn’t live that long will be considered cursed.

“In that city whoever builds a house will live there;
    whoever plants a vineyard will eat the grapes from that garden.
Never again will one person build a house
    and another person live there.
Never again will one person plant a garden
    and another eat the fruit from it.
My people will live as long as the trees.
    My chosen people will get full use of whatever they make.

Never again will a woman suffer childbirth
    and have her baby die.
Women will not fear childbirth.
    I, the Lord, will bless all my people and their children.
I will answer them before they call for help.
    I will help them before they finish asking.
Wolves and little lambs will eat together.
    Lions will eat hay like cattle,
    and snakes will eat only dust.
They will not hurt or destroy each other on my holy mountain.”
    This is what the Lord said.”

The story of a believer’s life here on Earth is worth reading because in the end, God restores!

If you don’t believe in God, He extends an open invitation to you because He loves you and wants ALL of his children who He created (including you) to be saved in His Kingdom. All you have to do is accept the FREE gift of salvation made possible by His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17), confess that Jesus is Lord, then follow Him all the way to Heaven.

The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 (ERV): “If you openly say, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved.”

Be encouraged, dear friends. The Creator of the Universe who is your Maker, loves you with ALL of His Heart. He went through great lengths to save your soul. He’s writing a story for you that ends in eternity with complete restoration, hope, faith and love. Will you allow Him to be Lord of your life? He’s waiting, patiently at the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20) but only you can open that door because He’s a gentleman who won’t force you to be in a relationship with Him. You need him more than you know. Don’t wait to open that door.

In closing, remember: Tomorrow isn’t promised but eternity for everyone who believes in God and follows Jesus is certain.