Before the fall, Adam and Eve didn't know what pain was. They lived in perfect harmony with God, fulfilling the purpose He had given them. Their lives were surrounded by beauty, completely secure, and filled with the joy of close companionship with their Creator. Sadly, that perfect existence was cut short by a choice.
The Bible says, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12).
When sin entered the world, it brought ugliness, fear, sorrow and separation. Sin also introduced the world to pain of body, soul and spirit.
We've all known pain, in one way or another. Most of us have known what it means to hurt, both on the inside and on the outside.
The best way of dealing with pain is to remember it will end. For us, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we know that all our pain will end one day. It's a fact. It's a promise of God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4).
Take a look at the context in which that promise is given. The verse above Revelation 21:4 says this...
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God (verse 3).
The very next verse after the promise that we will have no more pain says this...
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
He makes all things new. In heaven, we'll have a new body - a body free of injury, sickness and pain. We'll have a new heart - a heart free of sin, sorrow and pain.
God's words are true and faithful. We can believe what He says. He will bring an end to our pain, and bring us into the joy of His presence forever.
But, you're still in pain right here in this moment and you know that's true for some day but you need relief today. I know. At 3 a.m., I was awakened by physical pain in my body and a huge concern for someone else in my heart.
Listen, God has given us another promise regarding our pain, a promise that's in effect and effective for the here and now. Take a look at Psalm 55:22...
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee...
Whatever kind of pain your in right now, whether physical or emotional, give it to the Lord. Let Him sustain you. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength (Isaiah 40:29).
The pain will end. In the meantime, we should trust and rejoice in our God who is here with us to give us the strength we need to hold on to His promise to take away our pain, wipe every tear from our eyes and to be with us forever.
{Daily Selah} is a mini-devotional, a pause to ponder about the Lord and how He wants us to live.
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