Where Righteousness Dwells
Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:11-18
In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
—2 Peter 3:13
If you read the obituaries in your local news, you will notice that they often contain down-to-earth notions of the future. Many mention singing and reunions in heaven, others mention fishing or hunting, and one that I read recently imagined a departed golfer reserving a tee-time for his friends. But have you ever seen an obituary that rejoices in finally being in a place where everything lines up with God’s righteousness, the mysterious way things are really supposed to be?
It seems we imagine future blessing as only an extension of what we enjoy best now. Why not think of the future as an end to all that is wrong in the world around us, and beyond our imagining?
Next time you are frustrated by unfairness, by a co-worker who pushes you around, by a car that will not start on a cold morning, and especially by sin, pain, illness, and wrong, think of Peter’s words. There is a place in our future with God, “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
Peter sums up rich, comforting promises that stretch from the words of Genesis to Revelation. Sorrow and suffering will end, tears will be wiped away, people and their situations will be aligned with true righteousness and justice forever.
That day, when things will indeed be all right, is a day to long for eagerly.
Father in heaven, you are a just and loving God. Thank you that we can trust you to deal with the unfair stuff, and that one day all will be right. Amen.
About the author — Morris Greidanus
Beginning in 1964, Morris Greidanus served churches in Alberta, Ontario, and Michigan. He was campus pastor at the University of Toronto from 1968 to 1974. After retiring in 2002, he served on various interim tasks in churches and educational institutions until he passed away in 2017. Morris and his wife, Alice, were married 58 years and had three children, five grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren.
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