 our daily journey: All New Things Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Russian scientists recently discovered plant matter in the burrow of an Ice Age squirrel—stuff that had been frozen for thousands of years. They took the material to their laboratory, where they successfully regenerated a thriving Silene stenophylla plant. The scientists will continue to dig through the Siberian permafrost in hopes of finding frozen matter from other plants and animals. They would love to uncover tissue from a woolly mammoth, which they think they could parlay into a living version of the real thing, à la Jurassic Park. What these scientists did for one plant, however, Jesus will do for the entire planet. Peter declares that one day the Lord will return to “set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames” (2 Peter 3:12). But from this stricken world, shaken down to its foundation, Jesus will create “the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (v.13). When Jesus returns, He will make “everything new” (Revelation 21:5). Notice that Jesus will not make “new everything.” He will not brush this world aside and replace it with something else. Rather he will take everything that is already here and make it new. What Jesus will do for the world He will also do for you. You may bear the scars of having been a sinner living in a broken world—staggering beneath the burden of deep wounds (some self-inflicted and some dealt by others)—but you belong to the “everything” that Jesus will make new. You will rise again, much like a Silene stenophylla that had been buried for thousands of years, and then “He will wipe every tear from [your] eyes” (v.4). If you put your trust in Jesus, this promise is for you. Lean on Him, and lean into the newness of your future. —Mike Wittmer
Read: Revelation 21:1-8
And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” (v.5).
More: Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 to learn how your future should inspire you to live right now.
Next: What excites you most about being made new? How might you anticipate this coming change in your life today? | 
