Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, November 3, 2016

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“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13)

In every age since the time of Christ, God has implanted a mechanism within His people to keep them prepared for, and looking forward to the return of Christ. This mechanism has activated each believer for holy preparation and ministry. This special mechanism is called the blessed hope.
The blessed hope is the God-given idea that Jesus could very possibly return in this present lifetime. How would you prepare if you believed a long lost loved one could visit at any moment? The blessed hope teaches us to anticipate His arrival and prepare as though He could return this very day. The blessed hope teaches us to live holy lives, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The blessed hope teaches us to lay hold on God by faith, expecting to move from one spiritual victory to another as we are perfected in Christ.
Thank the Lord for giving us the privilege of hoping for the soon arrival of Jesus Christ. If we had no hope in the second coming, what reason would there be for living? Soon and very soon, He that shall come will finally come and not tarry. Praise the Lord for the blessed hope. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Titus 2:11-15).—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)