FOOD FOR YOUR JOURNEY

19 October

HOPE

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

The other day I was watching an episode of X-Factor on television and the compère announced that a very popular group (I can’t remember their name) had taken time out from their very busy world tour and were about to come on stage and perform the very song that had made them famous in every country of the world. The excitement of the audience was deafening and the applause the group received as they pranced on stage, was so loud and prolonged that it almost tore the roof off the building. The crowd were on their feet, clapping and cheering. The roving television cameras focused on excited, smiling faces with tears streaming down many cheeks.  The atmosphere was palpable and electric and the noise and excitement went on for so long that the judges and the compère had to ask repeatedly for the fans to quieten down and to take their seats so that the performance could commence.

The rapturous welcome this pop group received got me thinking of today’s verse in Titus, and it struck me that if this is the way that excited fans reacted when their favourite group appeared in front of them, how would we, as Christians, welcome the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ?

• Would we be as excited?
• Would we react in the same expectant way?
• Would His appearing be glorious?
• Would we be hoping for it?
• Would we be expecting it?

Sadly the hope of the world is a hope which is short lived and somewhat meaningless, and it mostly revolves around self and selfish ideals, and it cannot be compared in any way with the expectant hope that lies within those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

The Bible describes the Hope of the Christian as:

An anchor of the soul, which is both sure and steadfast.

Hebrews 6:19

My prayer for you is that you have this hope within you and that you are sure, very sure that you are held by the Rock of Ages!