Hope, the amazing daily vitamin! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Titus 2:11-14,

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

In Paul's admonition to live godly lives while we await the Lord's return, he tells us this is what is to be done "in this present age." This catches my eye as I am reminded that the present age we live in is transitional. While we are here we are to do these things. However, there is another age coming our way. We are only in this life for a time. A time is coming following this present age, a new age, the age of "eternal life."

The Scriptures call the next age that is coming our way as believers, our "hope." Not "hope" in the sense of "Gee, I sure hope it might happen." But, rather, in light of the struggles we encounter, our looming deaths, etc. we have a bright future - our hope, awaiting us. Something to get excited about in the here and now. Something to provide us with an edge to our faith, our sense of well-being, something that stands taller than any challenge we may face in this life.

It is this hope we have that generates joy in our lives, Romans 12:12. If I'm not experiencing much joy, I need to spend a little more time contemplating the Lord's return and what is coming our way. Hope, generated by the power of the Holy Spirit is something that should overflow in our lives, Romans 15:13. Likewise, it is from this hope that both faith and love spring - as we focus on what is stored up for us in heaven, Colossians 1:5. Endurance is also inspired by this hope we have, 1 Thessalonians 1:3. This hope is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure", Hebrews 6:19. Hope provides us the spiritual energy to live our lives in a manner that delights the Lord, 1 John 3:3.

Like my daily vitamins, the hope I have is something I need to pursue daily. Meditate on it, read about it, think about it, share with others about it, ruminate in it. So much of our spiritual vitality is generated by the hope we have. I think it is something that should be in front of us, the focus of what we think, do and say, on a daily basis. If we don't, we just might dry up spiritually like an old prune! We don't want that!

Have you focused today on the hope you have?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com