Day 5: One Hope
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
We praise You God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations (Psalm 65:5-7).
Though the ingratitude and rebellion of humanity would attribute Your awesome wonders to chance and happenstance, and though many try to give Your praise to idols (Isaiah 42:8), Your word is clear that You alone are our source, our help, our hope:
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in You, for You are the one who does all this (Jeremiah 14:22).
Lord, it is You who provide us with all things that sustain us—life, and breath, food and ecosystems, galaxies and waterways (Psalm 104, Hebrews 1:3). But Your word is clear—our mortal lives are temporary—the present creation is temporary.
The apostle John warns us against becoming attached to the passing things of this life, “Do not love the world or anything in the world... The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15, 17).
Earlier the prophet Isaiah wrote a similar message: Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment... (Isaiah 51:6).
Father, in Your great mercy, You have provided for humanity against the passing of this mortal life, and of this marred and sin-ravaged temporary world. You sent us Your salvation in Your Messiah as You promised through Your holy prophets: “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in Him the Gentiles will hope” (Romans 15:12, Isaiah 11:10).
Even now, we see the “passing away” of so much we have come to expect; so much we have relied on—taken for granted. Daily we are confronted with news and circumstances that are alarming, and distressing, and discouraging. The burdens of weariness, stress, and anxiety grow increasingly heavier.
But Your word gives us the assurance, To [the people of God] God has chosen to make known… the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Thank You, Father, for calling us to one hope—in Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that in Him we have a hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). Thank You that Your salvation will last forever, Your righteousness will never fail (Isaiah 51:6).
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). May others be drawn to Your hope and peace even in the turmoil around us.
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