Revelation 21:4 – “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.”
When you were a kid and skinned your knee, it wasn’t the Band-Aid that made you feel better. It wasn’t the cleaning of the wound or the ice pack either. It was the presence of the one who loved you, hugged you, and kissed you that comforted you. Only they could wipe the tears from your eyes. Their presence is what brought comfort and ended the pain.
God says in Revelation 21:3, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” The word used here for “dwelling place” is literally the word tabernacle. Think of the rich Old Testament meaning behind this eternal reality.
The tabernacle is where God dwelled. Because of that, even when it was just a tent, it was holy. But it was too holy for sinful man to enter and live. The dwelling place of God was amidst His people, but it was not with His people. Sin has always separated God’s people from God’s presence. Ever since Adam and Eve gave into the lies of Satan and hid from God’s presence, sin has separated each one of us from His presence as well.
Sin hurts. It causes untold pain. And it is because of sin that death exists (Rom. 6:23). More tears have been spilled over death than any other consequence of sin. The wages of sin is death, but Jesus defeated sin and rose from the dead. And God is making all things new. The worst consequence of sin will soon be gone, too. No, that consequence is not death, or mourning, or crying—those are just the byproducts of the worst consequence. The worst consequence of sin is not being able to dwell with God. Yet for those who have repented and trusted in Jesus’ atonement for their sin, our hope is that “the dwelling place of God will be with man” when He makes all things new again.
In the chorus of the song, “Weep No More,” Channing Gillespie sings these words as if God is signing them over us, “Weep no more, I will be your dwelling place.” This world and our lives are ravaged by sin. Its painful consequences hurt us every day. But the One who loves us will dwell with us now…and forever. Now, He “is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). So even amid your present hardships, you can lift up your head and weep no more.
The bridge of this song couldn’t be more powerful as Channing calls us to lift our eyes and remember the promises God will fulfill one day: “I will wipe away every single tear; There’ll be no more death or sorrow there; No this suffering will not compare; To the glory that’s in store…And I’ll pull you close into my embrace; And you’ll know right then when you see my face; All this hurt and pain, it was worth the wait; It was always for your good; So just like a bride waiting for her groom; Don’t forget that I’m coming back for you; No don’t you ever forget; I’m coming back for You!”
His dwelling place will be with us. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. He will make all things new.
Channing and Jacob will be partnering again for the second annual NIGHT OF HOPE on September 25. Tickets have been graciously paid for by the community for the first 100 to register. We would love for you to be a part of this inspirational night of lecture, testimony, and songs of hope.
View the previous devotional here.
Reason for Hope 