Rest In The Future

“For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:” (Ac 2:25-26 AV)

Peter is referencing David’s words in the book of Psalms.  David foresaw the coming to Israel.  He knew the promise to Israel through him was certain.  Jesus Christ is the promise made to David because of his faithfulness to the LORD.  In seeing prophetically, the Messiah sitting on His throne, David can rest in the flesh.  That means this life.  David did not have to wait for glory to appear.  In the here and now, he could live a life of rest because he knew who reigns and will reign.  Now, Peter is making the same application to himself and his fellow countrymen.  As agitated as they were at the rule of Rome, knowing Jesus the Messiah came, died for them, and will return in the rest of soul they need.  Like David, they need not wait.  The rest of soul is in the flesh.  The rest of soul is now.  The rest of soul is in the promise of a God who does, and always will, rule! The older I get, the truer this becomes.  Our peace of the present is in the hope of the future.  The older you get, the closer the future becomes.

Going to a different country be a bit stressful.  Regardless of differences of language, differences in law and government can make it a bit uneasy.  Other than Canada, I have traveled abroad two other times.  Once to Ireland and once to Brazil.  Ireland, of course, speaks English.  Brazil does not.  Even if they did, the stress of being in a foreign country would still be a reality.  We expect laws to be identical.  By and large, they are similar.  There aren’t too many major differences.  It was a blessing to have guides that help navigate us through the country without too much trouble.  But I have to tell you, coming home and crossing the gate with Old Glory above it was a relief.  Knowing who was in charge and that the rules had not changed is a comfort for those returning from abroad.  When we returned from Ireland, we had a hiccup.  One of our teens was wearing a hoody with the hood over his head.  We tried to warn him.  Customs took him aside.  They took him into a private room.  My wife and I were the only adults with the group.  It almost got to the point where I would have to stay back and my wife would go on ahead.  Yet, there was nothing to fear.  Our teenager was an American citizen.  The peace of heart was knowing the government and laws to which we were entering.  Even if there were problems abroad, we knew where the embassy was and that we could always get assistance.

Our journey here is temporary.  Jesus is our King.  He is our Lord.  This world is not our home.  There is a place to which we are going.  Nothing can dethrone the Savior.  As much as the world wishes to defeat God, it simply cannot do it.  It is a fool’s errand.  In their rebellion, they want total and unabated control of God’s creation.  The LORD may allow it for a brief time, but the Messiah is returning to claim that which His right!  He will sit on a throne, ruling all of mankind with a rod of iron.  He sits at the right hand of the Father.  The godhead still rules in the affairs of men.  Satan and the world may have the illusion of self-determination.  But God is still God.  They can do only what God allows.  Soon the LORD will return, and holiness will be the standard.  That is our hope.  That is our patience.  Just like our visit abroad, we knew it would come to an end.  There was a country we called our own, and they would welcome us back with open arms.  We would find sanctuary in the land of our nativity.  The same is true for glory.  There awaits us a far better place.  The place is in the presence of the throne of God, and nothing will ever change that!