The World Will Not Always Be Like This

At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. Hebrews 2:8 It is one thing to have faith in Jesus when the sky is blue, but it is another to have faith in Jesus during a storm. What does that look like? Matthew shows us in the story of two men walking on the water (Mat. 14:22-33). There were two miracles here. Jesus walked on the water to reach the disciples, and Peter walked on the water to reach Jesus. These point to two marvellous truths: Jesus rules over every storm, and one day you will share in His rule. We were made to rule over creation: “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet” (Heb. 2:6-8). The purpose of God is that all storms, evil, sickness, and even death itself, will be under our feet. But we fell. In reaching to be more, we became less and, in trying to take the place that belongs to God, we lost the place that God gave to us. That is why Hebrews says, “at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” We no longer rule over creation, but are subject to its powers. The hurricane, mudslide, wildfire, flood, and virus all rule over us. The destructive powers of pride, greed, hatred, and violence are not yet under our feet. We try to overcome them, and by God’s grace we are given some success, but these dark powers are always present. They are not yet subject to us. “Not yet” holds a marvellous promise. God promised there will be a glorious new world in which His redeemed people will reign with Him forever (Rev. 22:5). But that day has not come—not yet. What is one thing that feels like it will never change? Apply God’s promise of the “not yet” to it.   Written by Colin Smith Read by Sue McLeish www.openthebible.org.uk