Our Hope Is Built On Nothing Less Than…

I laugh at the memes featuring people peeking out from behind their doors, wild-eyed, saying, “what chapter of Revelation are we doing today?” I’ve chuckled at stoic, cynical jokes about bracing ourselves for the last few months of 2020- a year that seems doomed.

Humor is good. Laughter helps.

But in case, like me, you find yourself at times surprised and convicted that your outlook is lacking in something Christ offers in abundance- hope– here are a few reminders of the anchor for our souls, the firm foundation, the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. 

Here’s what our hope- even in 2020- is built on.

Nothing Less Than Christ’s Love

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35)

This verse leads to the well-known passage explaining that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. We tend to focus on all those things that can’t pull us from Him, but today I just want to point out what it is we can’t lose: it’s Christ’s love we’re permanently tied to. Expect nothing less of Christ than His love.

Nothing Less Than Christ’s Righteousness

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) 

God doesn’t call us to go seeking after things that are only accessible sporadically. His Kingdom is always accessible, and always relevant. The same way His Kingdom is everlasting, Christ’s righteousness reigns at all times. Before we seek solutions, directions, or anything else, let’s first expect nothing less of Christ than Him righteously holding all things together, big or small, and working them to God’s glory.  

'Seek His Kingdom first.' God doesn't call us to seek first things that are only accessible sporadically. His Kingdom is always accessible, and always relevant. Share on X

Nothing Less Than Nearness to our Savior

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)

A simple sentence amidst other short, to-the-point commands, there’s nothing complicated about this. Christ isn’t socially distant from us. He wants us to draw near, and promises He’ll draw near too. Expect nothing less than His presence and involvement in your life and heart as you lean on Him.

Nothing Less Than Involvement in God’s Good Work

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

There is no recession for citizens of heaven and ambassadors of Christ. The work God prepared in advance for each of us to do isn’t thwarted by any health problems, widespread fears, or restrictions. Look for nothing less than the good, hopeful, eternally-driven work He has created us all to do.

Nothing Less Than The Guarantee of a Happy Ending

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

In a time when less and less seems safe, clear-cut, or guaranteed, I love this verse more and more. Paul wrote this as he anticipated his martyrdom. Going safely into Christ’s heavenly kingdom meant dying, and it still does. What’s safe about death? Knowing to whom we go, having known Him already and knowing that all will be well when we see Him face to face at last. There’s a happy ending for the Christian- however everything before that goes- and nothing less. Our hope is in a living God, who we will live with forever!

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

I love this rendition of the song “Our Hope is Built.” May it encourage you today!

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