April 8th | Where Righteousness Dwells

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PETER’S SECOND LETTER   

WHERE RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS  

2 Peter 3:13 “ . . . in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” 

Some try to “buy up” the world, purchasing as much of it and what it contains as possible. The British Royal family owns 250,000 their estate is valued at $18 Billion. Gina Rhinehart, an Australian, as an individual, is said to be the largest land owner in the world with 24 million acres.   

No matter how many acres one owns, the Bible asks this rhetorical question, “What good is it if a man owns the entire world, but loses his soul?” It is not what you own, or how much. What matters is in whom you believe when you stand before Jesus, your eternal judge. The Gospel’s message says, “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Make 16:16) 

“ . . . in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13) This earth and the things of this earth as you now know them will come to an end. And, you cannot take your acres or portfolio with you when you die. On the Last Day God will destroy this universe as you now know it. It will be no more.   

God will, however, create a “new heaven and a new earth.” (2 Peter 3:13) Those who study the Holy Scriptures wrestle with what Peters words mean. What they all agree upon, however, is whatever it is God will create it a righteous place. The vision given to John of this new heaven and earth is recorded in Revelation 21:1-4: “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”   

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep the eyes of my heart and faith focused upon Your promises for my future. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Bridegroom soon will call us, “Come to the wedding feast.”  May slumber not befall us Nor watchfulness decrease.  May all our lamps be burning With oil enough and more  That we, with Him returning, May find an open door! 

There shall we see in glory Our dear Redeemer’s face;  The long-awaited story Of heav’nly joy takes place;  The patriarchs shall meet us, The prophets’ holy band;  Apostles, martyrs greet us In that celestial land. 

There God shall from all evil Forever make us free,  From sin and from the devil, From all adversity,  From sickness, pain, and sadness, From troubles, cares, and fears,  And grant us heav’nly gladness And wipe away our tears. 

In that fair home shall never Be silent music’s voice;  With hearts and lips forever We shall in God rejoice,  While angel hosts are raising With saints from great to least  A mighty hymn for praising The Giver of the feast.
(LSB 514)