Day 44
Get Ready, Boys!
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [1 Peter 1:13]
While on an expedition to the Antarctic, explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 27 men encountered nightmarish conditions. Temperatures were as low as 100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Their ship, the Endurance, was caught in pack ice for ten months. Shackleton had to leave most of his men on Elephant Island to go for help.
After sailing a lifeboat through a storm, Shackleton finally reached a whaling station. Three times he tried to rescue his crew, but bad weather turned him back. Finally, ten months after he had left them, he found a narrow channel through the ice. When he finally got to Elephant Island, he was amazed to find his men not only alive and well, but all prepared to get aboard his ship. Later Sir Ernest asked how they were ready to leave so promptly the day he arrived. They told him that every morning their leader rolled up his sleeping bag, saying, “Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today.” That action not only got them ready to leave; it also infused them with a daily dose of hope.
Speaking of Christ’s return, Scripture says the same basic thing: “Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today.” The point is not to predict Christ’s return; the point is to live as if we’ll meet Jesus today! Look at 1 Peter 1:13–25, where the author is addressing Christians who were in the middle of a great persecution. He wisely points them toward their future hope when Jesus Christ is revealed.
He reminds them that this world, including all the glory and power of men, is temporary.
Where do you set your hope — on the temporary things of this world, or on the work of Jesus Christ?
Question to Consider
How can a belief that Jesus will return to restore God’s kingdom bring hope? Why does this seem to be less a part of our faith today?
Prayer
Lord, help me live with daily anticipation of the fulfillment of Your promises!
