Day 47
Endurance Inspired by Hope
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Thessalonians 1:3]
When I became a Christian at 34, my brother-in-law said, “Meg, if God can save you, He can save anyone!” Now, I’m not sure if he was referring to my not-so-lily-white past or my stubborn, hard heart.
I admit I am a Type A “lion” and also a bit of a stubborn pessimist. So 1 Thessalonians 1:3 is a challenge for me. I understand work produced by faith,
and labor prompted by love.
But, do I have endurance inspired by hope? Hope for what I cannot now experience? That’s what Romans 8:24–25 says I am to have:
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Do I live in hope for His return? Do I fix my eyes beyond the realities of this life?
I know when the doctors told us our oldest son had a rare cancer in the lymph system of the skin, I was afraid. It took us months to find out that the disease was treatable and not life threatening, but not before I wrestled with God. When I finally acknowledged that Ryan was God’s child first, that God loved him more than I could, and that I was thankful for Ryan no matter what happened, I could find hope. A hope where I could believe that something good would happen, no matter what. What peace we have knowing that believers will be united in heaven! It should be the only motivation I need to live my life for God alone.
Where is your hope?
Question to Consider
In what ways is endurance inspired by hope? How do I see this truth at work in the worlds of sports or business? What lessons can I draw spiritually?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for saving me. Help me to live today with the hope of Christ’s return clearly in my mind and heart.
