ODJ: what are you hoping for?

October 30, 2015 

READ: Titus 2:1-15 

We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed (v.13).

Most of us have things we’re hoping for in life, but what are you ultimately hoping for? Paul told Titus to “look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed” (2:13). Do you believe that Jesus will return to this earth? Do you want Him to come?

There’s a reason why 1 Corinthians 13:13 puts hope together with faith and love: “Three things will last forever—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love.” Hope requires faith. It’s more than a mere wish, ‘hoping’ that something turns out for the best. Biblical hope is a firm and certain confidence that what God promised will come true. We say ‘hopefully’ when we’re not sure if events will turn out how we want. God says “hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13 NIV 1984).

Hope requires love. It’s more than expecting a future event to happen, it’s hoping that it does. Biblical hope brims with desire. Those who hope don’t merely believe that God will keep His promise—they long for it. They yearn for His return more than anything.

Tell me what you hope for—what you dream about when you don’t have to think about anything—and I’ll tell you what you believe. Tell me what you hope for, and I’ll tell you what you love.

How can we tell if our hope is in Jesus? We’ll talk to Him often, just to say we’re waiting for His return. We’ll pray the closing words of Scripture: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). And we’ll do what He says, knowing that “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin” (Titus 2:14).

What are you waiting for? What are you hoping for?

—Mike Wittmer

365-day-plan: Acts 15:1-21