Having a baby is at the same time exciting and scary, painful and joyful, dangerous and life-changing.

Let’s think about a pregnancy. The longer it goes, the more discomfort there is for the mother. After all, there’s a human growing inside of her; it’s getting bigger. Toward the end of nine months, labour begins. Contractions get closer together—and the pain increases.

Through all of this, what keeps the mom going? It’s the thought of a new baby at the end of the process—a baby who she already loves so incredibly much! 

Well, our world is going into labour. The idea comes from Jesus himself. When speaking about the period leading up to his return, he talks about a rise in wars and rumours of wars; of famines; of earthquakes; of living in a world where love decreases and wickedness increases—and then: “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:8).

I don’t say this to shock or upset you. In fact, my sense is that many of you already know that it is true. Things out there seem pretty crazy.

However, this doesn’t need to throw us off course. Just how a mom knows that at the end of her labour there is something beautiful and glorious waiting for her, so will there be something beautiful and glorious awaiting us when Jesus returns. He will usher in the “new heavens and the new earth.” Sin will be no more, pain will be gone, God’s people will be restored and rewarded, and the new creation will shine everywhere.

Even though life can be hard, and despite the distress and trouble that can surround us, God is at work. There is a plan. Just as in a pregnancy, things are developing beneath the surface. Jesus is working in and through his people, and one day he will return as Judge and Saviour to make all things new. 

Pray, serve Jesus, and trust God’s process. Hardship doesn’t last, but hope does.

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Notes:

-“The World is Going Into Labour (Daniel 7)” Click here. Sermon.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.