[APRIL 7] Our Only Hope

Read: 1 Thess. 4:13-18

"We should live... godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope" 
--Titus 2:12-13

An anonymous author wrote, “When I was first converted, and for some years afterward, the second coming of Christ was a thrilling idea, a blessed hope, a glorious promise, the theme of some of the most inspiring songs of the church.

“Later it became an accepted tenet of faith, a cardinal doctrine, a kind of invisible trademark of my ministry. It was the favorite arena of my theological discussions, in the pulpit and in print. Now suddenly the second coming means something more to me. Paul called it ‘the blessed hope.’ But today it appears as the only hope of the world.”

From the human standpoint, there is no solution for the struggles of the world. Leaders are naturally frustrated in trying to deal with the increasing problems in society. The only complete and permanent solution is found in the return of Christ to earth. When He comes, He will set up His kingdom. He will rule the nations in righteousness, and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

As we await our Savior’s return, let us keep on praying, working, and watching, while “looking for the blessed hope”—our only hope for this world. --Richard De Haan

And for the hope of His return,

Dear Lord, Your name we praise;

With longing hearts we watch and wait

For that great day of days! --Sherwood

REFLECT ON THIS:

As this world gets darker, the promised return of God’s Son gets brighter.