What Is HOPE?

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Today's Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4
Memory Verses: 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

What is HOPE?  Is it what we long to have when we set our hearts on the desires of our hearts sometime in the future?  Or is it what causes despair when that desire is not met?  One poet said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick.". So what happens when we set our hopes on things, places, and people that are no good? We end up having a life with nothing to look forward to.  

But I remember the old hymn, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.  When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.  On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand... And though the words still give me goosebumps, many people have no idea what's in store for us after our bodies leave this earth.  They are convinced that anything spiritual is really just a fairy tale, while what we see on this earth is what's real.

For those of you who are aware of God's promises, sink your teeth a little deeper into them.  But if this is new to you, be assured this is no fairy tale.  Today's passage tells us that, if you happen to have lost someone on this side of heaven, they have a special place in the resurrection.  No matter how badly the person's body was destroyed before his or her death, we can rest assured that Jesus' shout will awake them when He comes back for us.  But not only are they going to be raised in Christ, but they'll be raised FIRST.  Then those of us who may still be alive will be caught up in the air with them.  God's plan was to expose the enemy's lie that this earth is all there is, and give us hope even as we grieve their loss.

So once again, when asked the question "what is hope", I'll respond that hope means Having Our Father's Perspective of Eternity.  The anxiety people feel that they are alone can be so easily replaced with the peace of knowing God gave everything so we can have access to His entire kingdom --here on earth, and when He comes to take us home.  So do not grieve when your loved ones have to be separated from us for a short season.  But comfort one another with these words.  And keep having our Father's perspective of eternity.

Prayer: thank You so much for loving me enough to prepare me for what I must face when my loved one leaves the earth.  But as hard as it is, I thank You that You're coming back for us all.  We choose to be totally Devoted to You, and ask You to live big in us as we strive to make You famous daily.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.