Meditation

Meditation for 10/03/2019

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” (Job 13:15)

The bright prospect of hope in the New Testament rests on the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection gives us assurance that we will be raised from the dead. For Job there was not such a firm basis of hope. As he argued with his friends, his hope waned at times. Occasionally, it seemed to rise up in confidence, as in this passage. It burned brightest in 19:25-27, and at its lowest in 14:7-12.

Only the full revelation of the Redeemer’s resurrection and final triumph brought in the full measure of hope for human hearts. The major difference between the Old and New Testaments is that in the Old, it was commonly thought that trees or plants, given occasional water could regrow, but people once dead were just that. In the New, we have the resurrection of Christ, and the promise that we too, will live again in eternity.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, let us take the inspirational message of hope that come from these scriptures, out into the world around us, to inform and inspire those who may have never heard it before. Even in the darkest of times in our lives, we can read the truth in Your Word and find strength in the messages of hope and inspiration. We pray to You this day, that through the words and actions of Your servants, others will also find hope for their lives. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“We cannot expect the rewards of Christians, if we rise no higher than the virtue of non-believers.”

KNOWING GOD:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Believers have a secure future hope because we have experienced God’s love in Christ Jesus. Within this relationship neither the crisis of death nor the calamities of life, neither spirit beings hat are good nor those that are evil, neither anything in time nor in space, in fact, nothing in all the created order can interrupt or sever the believer’s ties with God forged by His redeeming love. This belief, I too share and often express to others. How about you?

I AM:

Last Things, Believers’ Resurrection: (2^nd Corinthians 4:4-18)

Paul faced opposition in Corinth and had to endure the weakness of his gradually dying body. Still he emphasized thanksgiving because he had confidence God would raise him and his fellow believes just as He raised Jesus. The temporary troubles of life fade in light of he eternal glory that waits for us. God is the Author of resurrection. Resurrection will introduce believes to Christ’s eternal presence. Even in troubled times, we find hope by fixing our gaze on the invisible, eternal world rather than the material temporary would. Do you?

Second Thought of the Day:

“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (1^st John 2:28)

John warned against false christs or messiahs and against those who deny Jesus is the messianic Son of God. He looked to Christ’s appearance (Phaneroo) at His coming (Parousia), both technical terms referring to the final coming. Like Paul (1^st Thessalonians 3:13), James (5:7-8), and Peter (2^nd Peter 3:11-13), John connected the final coming with his call to continued faithfulness. Faith that Christ will come again calls s to obey Him until that day.

Beloved confidence before the Lord at His return is the result of a life lived in union or fellowship with him. The goal of Christian living should be that of being able to meet the Lord without shame. Understand? I pray so.