Daily Devotional: Hope

Hope in Christ

Do you ever think about the word “Christ”? It's not Jesus’ last name. Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, compels us here to believe in Jesus as the “Messiah,” synonymous with “Christ.” What does that mean for us? It means that all the prophesies and promises in the Old Testament about a savior coming have been fulfilled in Jesus. God keeps His promises! And this should now and forever be where our hope lies. You can count on Him to come through every time. And what does belief get you? Eternal life: your fullest life here on Earth and, most importantly, perfect life in God’s presence forever!

Have you allowed your focus to shift from this hope or even doubted God’s ability to keep His promises? - What do you think heaven will be like in God’s presence? How is God calling you to bring His kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)?

Eternity with God is as simple as Romans 10:9, “Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.” As challenging as times may be, there is still work for you to do. Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV), “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Will, you be like Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) and say, “Here am I. Send me.”?

Write down a list of three friends you know who don’t know Jesus. Pray for them specifically to have soft hearts to believe in Jesus and confess Him as Lord. Ask God to bring to mind a way you can serve them this week and share with them the reason for the hope that you have in Jesus.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.