Jesus gave his disciple three promises designed to equip them for ministry: First, the reality that their lives would not be easy; Second, that God would be present with them on the journey and would never forsake them; and third, that all things would be set right by God one day yet to come.

Whatever our eschatology, the common belief of the church through the ages is that in the end God will set all things right. There is a day coming when peace will reign, when the glory of God will fill the earth without the constraints of sin, when there will be no tears – all will be made right.

Whenever we face troubles in life, Calvin maintained that we should be “aroused to meditate upon the future life.” (3.9.1). He would go on to say – “For before their (believers’) eyes will be that day when the Lord will receive his faithful people into the peace of His kingdom, “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, will clothe them with a robe of glory and rejoicing, will feed them with the unspeakable sweetness of his delights, will elevate them to his sublime fellowship, will deign to make them sharers in his happiness.”

We have a glimpse of this here and now – and what a glimpse it is. But this hope of a day in which all will be set right should encourage us to work for that today – to endeavor to set things right now – waiting for the fullness yet to come. So, keep doing the next right thing – knowing your work is never meaningless!