The Hope of the 60’s

Revelation 22

 

The 60’s generation thought we were the hope of the future. We thought we were going to correct all the mistakes that our parents had made; that politicians had made; that the establishment had made.

 

Then came the assassinations of John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert F Kennedy. It was a tumultuous time with the Viet Nam war, demonstrations and Woodstock.  Yet, we thought we were the hope of the future.

 

What keeps you going when you fail to meet your own expectations; your own hopes; your own dreams? What keeps getting you up in the morning after life knocks you

down? What keeps you trying when circumstances seem hopeless?

 

When John wrote the book of Revelation, circumstances did seem hopeless. Emperor worship was being enforced. Christians were facing greater and greater hostility, even to the point of martyrdom. John himself had been exiled to Patmos, which was a penal colony, probably for his missionary activities.

 

God’s Covenant of Hope always seems to include fruitfulness. He started in the Garden of Eden; continued with the promise of a land filled with milk and honey; and concludes with the promise of the restoration of Eden. See if you can visualize this idyllic garden that John describes.

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. NIV

 

"No longer will there be a curse”… In the 60’s, we thought we would put an end to the curse. We were wrong. Only the Living God can do that. Through the promises of Revelation 22, He gives us hope. Not only is it hope for us as believers, but also for us to share with others in a world without hope.

 

 

 

(If God has spoken to you, or touched your heart through this devotional, please feel free to share it with others.)

 

 

 

 

I Have a Dream

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 

 

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln spoke these words at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”.

 

On January 20, 1961 newly elected president of the United State, John F. Kennedy, gave his inaugural speech which included the following: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.

 

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke these words: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.

 

Just as these visionary men gave motivational speeches that changed the world around them, Moses spoke to the nation of Israel. He reminded them how the LORD had delivered their ancestors from slavery. He reminded them how the LORD had performed miracles to bring them to this location at such a time as this.

 

Now was the time for Israel to make a decision. It was time for them to take the land that the LORD had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A land flowing with milk and honey.

 

But crossing the Jordan River would mean a huge change in their lives. They were used to living on manna and quail. They were used to wandering from place to place. They were used to being nomads, living in tents. The thought of crossing the Jordan River to an unknown life must have both excited and scared them.

 

During turbulent times Martin Luther King spoke of equality in America, and inspired a national movement for civil rights. At a critical point in time Moses spoke about the character, promises and expectations of the LORD, and inspired a nation to embrace Him.

 

You and I face decisions every day of our lives. For me, when they occur, I have a dream to “love the LORD my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength”. I pray that you have this same dream.