Our Hope In Christ

-September 27, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15:13).

Hope is one of the greatest benefits and blessings the Lord has given us. In today verse, Paul uses the word hope twice. He describes the source and power of our hope in Jesus Christ. God is the source and the resource of our hope. Our’s is an an abiding and eternal hope.

Our hope is spiritual and supernatural. It differs from the hope we see in this world. When someone says, “I hope so,” or “I hope it will, or “hopefully, “ there is wishful thinking and positive vibe, but there is no certainty or guarantee it will happen. On the other hand, the Christian’s hope is a confident expectation that God will make it happen. We have full assurance in the promises of God. God has given us a good hope, a living hope, and a blessed hope.

1. Good Hope – Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 2:16, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.” Our hope is good because God is good; our hope is good because He is with us and for us; and our hope is good because He never fails us. Hope looks to the future with a smile.

2. Living Hope – Ours is not only a good hope, it is a living hope. Our hope in Christ is based on His death for us on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Because He lives, we live also, and we will live with Him in heaven forever and ever. Song writer Bill Gaither wrote, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives. 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us, “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

3. Blessed Hope – Not only do we have a good hope and a living hope, but we have a blessed hope. The blessed hope is that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again just as He said He would. He promised in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Paul describes this blessed hope in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul told Titus, “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

With such a good hope, a living hope, and a blessed hope we can face today and the future with joy and peace in believing. We can have confidence in the Lord who has promised us a safe landing and a happy ending. Have a blessed day abounding in hope. Stay safe and healthy.

When your hope is in Jesus, it is founded on the Rock,

Dean