August 12
Looking for the
Blessed Hope
Titus 2:13-14
while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
Daily Steps
As the final entries of the devotional series are written, the new believer needs to anchor their peace in the specific focus of Christian hope. This passage defines that final focus: the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The peace in this certainty is found in defined expectation:
The Object of Our Hope: Our hope (Day 205) is not vague wishful thinking; it is the blessed hope—the specific expectation of the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. All future peace is wrapped up in the personal, glorious return of the Lord (The Lord Will Come, Day 187).
The Basis of Our Hope (Redemption): The assurance of His return rests on His finished work: He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness. His sacrifice provides the peace with God (Day 174) and the foundation for our eternal glory (Day 204).
The Purpose of Our Hope (Purity): This guaranteed future is meant to transform the present. He purifies us to be a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. This is the active, zealous response to the call to watchfulness (Day 217), motivating us toward obedience (Day 220) while we wait.
Your final peace is secured by Christ's appearing. Live with active eagerness to do what is good while you wait for the blessed hope—the glorious return of Jesus Christ, your Savior.
Reflective Question
If the return of Jesus Christ is your blessed hope, how does that certainty change your view of the small, daily acts of good you perform? What is one specific way you can demonstrate that you are eager to do what is good today, living in expectation of His glory?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the defined and certain object of my hope: the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. I thank You for redeeming me from all wickedness.
I pray for the spiritual eagerness to do what is good while I wait. Secure my final peace today in the blessed hope of Your glorious return. Amen.
