High Hopes

We may have high hopes: ‘I hope I get a promotion’ or ‘I hope I win Tattslotto!’

2 Thessalonians 1.1-12

Reference: v.7  and (God will) give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

Explore: Hope is something you can’t see or touch, it’s not even something you know for sure, and yet it is so important for our daily motivation.  We may have simple hopes: ‘I hope I get a good car park’ or ‘I hope my sports team wins’.  We may have high hopes: ‘I hope I get a promotion’ or ‘I hope I win Tattslotto!’  As Christians, however, our greatest hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our hope is that no matter where we are, no matter what possessions we may have or what our earthly future may hold God will always be with us and we look forward to spending all eternity with Him.

Application: When things are going well in our life we don’t feel we have to rely on this God-given hope.  Yet when troubles hit and we feel we are in constant turmoil then this hope in God can make all the difference.
The Apostle Paul went through many trials in his work for God and it seems that many of the churches he visited and planted went through trials as well.  It is during those times that our hopes can rest on the Lord Jesus, who promises to be with us and has the best in store for us.  It is inevitable that we too will endure hardships in our life.  It is during those times that our faith is tested and our hope can arise and bring us through the difficult situation.

Prayer: Lord, when we go through times of trouble it is sometimes hard to feel your presense or know that you are there.  Make yourself known to us.  Our hope is in you.  Amen.

How does your faith give you hope?

2 Thessalonians