Hope For Better Days

Introduction

As we survey the world’s history, we [mankind] has experienced some of the most memorable moments that one could ever imagine. We have seen incredible accomplishments that only confirm the reality that God works through mankind, as the steward agents of creation to make this world something we never thought it could be.

The Renaissance of the 1300’s in Florence, Italy delivered a culture of creativity that has impacted art, science, architecture, and literature. During this time, things such as eyeglasses, the printing press, telescopes, and microscopes were all created—leaving a lasting impression on the world that can be felt to this very day.

The Industrial Revolution of 1760 introduced new industrial innovations that allowed areas to grow through the creation of textile mills, railroads, the cotton gin, the steam engine, electricity, and factories.

The Medical Revolution of 1796 introduced the world’s first vaccine. From this revolution came vaccinations to fight against viruses such as smallpox, anthrax, and COVID-19.

And then there was the invention of the internet in the 1960s, which has changed the world in ways that are still be accounted for as we speak.

These are major accomplishments that attest to the fact that man has been able to contribute to the world’s existence in a way that makes it better. These revolutions and accomplishments have not only made life better (or some will say easier), but they have also saved lives. However, along with success has come a share of tragedy.

In 1978, over 900 members of the People’s Temple Agricultural Project died under the leadership of Jim Jones, a charismatic leader who convinced many that committing suicide was the best option for escaping the woes of this current life.

The deadliest war in American war was the Civil War, leading to over 750,000 deaths over the differences on how the country should be structured and the presence of slavery in the United States.

Through slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, over 15 million slaves were victimized over a period of 400 years.

In 1989, (the year I was born):

220,000 mothers were without little to no prenatal health care

12.2 million children were without health coverage

1 million teenagers were pregnant with a child, while being a child

1.2-1.5 million runaway children

795,000 substantiated child abuse cases; 1.9 million cases reported

68,000 homeless children

In 2021,

Child poverty (1 in 7 children)

Income and health inequality

House and homelessness

Child hunger and nutrition

Gun violence

Tragedy! We are living in a tragedy.

All of these things simply demonstrate the ugly history that describes some of the most tragic events in our world’s long story of existence. However, if one was to ask, “what is the cause of the greatest tragedy?” What leads to such terrible things in our world? The answer would be sin. Nothing is more sure to lead to a tragedy like sin.

I should be clear that sin is not simply the thing that sends us to hell. It’s not only that sin creates a wedge between us and God. Sin is the thing that makes this world unbearable. This is what Paul means in Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death...”

Essentially, when man’s character is lacking, creation suffers. This is why John saw a day when the evil will be overthrown. In Revelation 21:8, “But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”” John describes this as the second death.

Help for a Troubled Mother

The obvious problem of sin is even found among God’s people. This is what we find in Jeremiah 31:15-17. A mother is found lamenting over her children who were sin-filled, and it has led to tragedy.

The nation of Israel, both Israel and Judah, are under exile. (At this particular point, Israel had been exiled and Judah is on the brink of her exile.) Exile is the thing God does when He wants to publicly demonstrate His anger.

Exile is not simply the removal of one people to another place. Rather, it is the removal of a people to another place and the removal of a people’s cultural significance as a result of the people’s removal. An example of this is found in Daniel 1:4-5.

In this text the strong, healthy, and good-looking men were selected to be exiled to Babylon for the purpose of transforming them from their Jewish culture to Babylonian culture. They were to learn the Babylonian tradition and knowledge in preparation of serving in the royal palace. As a result, Rachel is lamenting!

She is lamenting and cannot be comforted, because her children have been taken and are no more. What happens when the one thing you thought would bring you multiple blessings is taken from you?

The Babylonians would take Israel’s sacred articles, their temple, their land, and their dignity. Yet Rachel is not portrayed crying for any of these things, as tragic as these things were. She is seen crying because they have taken her children. What would her children give that none of these other things could have given? They were the means through which the promise would come! They were looking for the one who would usher in a utopia, a time where Israel’s sorrow and Satan’s grip over the world would be overthrown.

Hundreds of years later, Rachel was still weeping. In Matthew 2:17-19, Satan was still after the children. Yet, this time he would be overthrow, because Jesus was born in the generation where Satan was still killing all the babies. And though many were killed, He didn’t get one—Jesus!

Better Days Are Coming

What was Rachel looking for? She was looking for better days through the seed that was promised to Abraham, and she knew there was no chance that this seed would come if the pagan nations continued to kill and take her children. Essentially, Rachel knew that the promised seed was the answer to the world’s problems.

Friends, I am looking for better days! However, I am not waiting until I get to heaven to get them. I want them right here on earth! And somehow, we must continue to remind ourselves and the world at large that Jesus is the answer to all of the world’s problems. John saw the solution very clearly!

Revelation 21:1–7 CSB

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.