Topic: A Living Hope [DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday January 9th, 2018]
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10
Key Verse: “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5,6).
Have you ever had moments of expectation of someone or something great? It may be the visit or arrival of someone very special to you – a spouse, family member, friend or expectation of an entirely new experience like job, a new possession or an exciting trip to be embarked on. Usually, as the appointed time approaches, so do your hope and excitation rise.
Christians have great expectation of the return of Jesus Christ to take them with Him to heaven as he has promised. This hope kept early believers going despite untold hardships, trials and persecutions. As some attempted to overthrow their faith by falsely alleging that the coming of the Lord had passed, Apostle Paul reassured them that this hope had not changed. He told them to remain watchful and avoid false doctrines so as not to be left behind since the Lord’s coming would be sudden. He also assured them the Lord had not appointed them unto wrath.
This admonition is equally applicable to present-day believers. This is more so as we have a lot of false teachings that try to rubbish the hope of the Lord’s return. In addition to this is the great increase in iniquities and falling away of many saints. At such a time as this, we need to be reminded of our lively hope. We must not allow our spiritual senses to be dulled by sinful pleasures or worldly pursuits.
The coming of our Lord is nearer than before, nearer than we think. So, let’s keep our hope alive in order to make our election sure. Living with “no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12) is a miserable existence. So, repent of sin, pray for forgiveness and receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and live holy to have this living hope. Hope of reward, eternal bliss, union with Christ and reunion with departed loved ones makes us endure trials, bear grief of bereavement and rejoice in serving the Lord.
Thought For The Day: Undying hope in Christ is the sure anchor that keeps the soul.
Bible Reading in one Year: Job 21-23
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
