“For the grace of God… teaches us to…live …godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11-13
In general, hoping is waiting. One waits for what one expects. For the Christian, hope is waiting well and for the right end, namely, “the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” It’s certainly not wrong to hope and wait for something like a job, a spouse, or a birthday. We might call these “second hopes.” They will vary depending on the person and the season in life. “Second hopes” are good so long as they don’t become ultimate, or our first hope. “Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Matthew 6:25).
The riches of this world are pennies—less than pennies even—compared with the riches of heaven, which is Christ in all His glory. Only Jesus deserves to be our primary hope, and only He can deliver on His promises. “Second hopes” can only lead to dissatisfaction if we depend on them for ultimate significance. We may lose a job, fail to graduate, or disappoint our spouse. But our Lord Jesus will never lose, fail, or disappoint us. He alone is able to be our first hope.
The riches of this world are pennies—less than pennies even—compared with the riches of heaven, which is Christ in all His glory. Only Jesus deserves to be our primary hope, and only He can deliver on His promises. “Second hopes” can only lead to dissatisfaction if we depend on them for ultimate significance. We may lose a job, fail to graduate, or disappoint our spouse. But our Lord Jesus will never lose, fail, or disappoint us. He alone is able to be our first hope.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 6:19-34; Lamentations 3:19-27
Insight
“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31a)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 27-28
- Psalm 75
- John 17
