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Romans 8:24-25

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

The great hope of Scripture is not a flippant desire that “it doesn’t rain tomorrow” or “our team wins the game.” After all, if it does rain tomorrow and our team loses, it’s not the end of the world. That’s what the great hope of Scripture is about. When this world is over, believers have a certain confidence that they will enter into an eternal existence with God…forever. That is our great hope!

We were adopted into the family of God for this great hope. Our “chief end” is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Certainly, we are not living in heaven now. If we were, there would be no need to hope. We need not expect that which we experience. So, for now, we live in hope.

I surmise that this great hope is stuffed way back in a storage closet of most Christian’s minds. Life demands our attention. The “here and now” insists that we focus on the “here and now.” That’s where we lose our perspective…and sometimes lose our way.  We were saved ultimately for this great hope. In the meantime, we live obediently and wait patiently.

Father, ignite this great hope within us. Remind us that we were made for eternity. In the midst of marriage, meals, school, recreation, mowing the grass, work, pressure, deadlines…in the midst of life…keep the great hope alive in us. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Today’s Journey Message:

Light of the World