FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Job 19:25, 26; Revelation 22:12; II Peter 3:12-14; I John 3:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-16; 12:1-3; Galatians 6:7-10; Mark 10:18-30; Hebrews 6:10-19; I Thessalonians 1:2,3; Matthew 24:3-12, 34-42; Colossians 3:17, 23

The great stabilizer that gives us endurance and direction is the hope of Christ’s return and the promise of eternal life. Job speaks of the redeemer living and standing in the latter day. He said, even though worms will destroy his body, in his flesh he would see God. He spoke in the present tense of something yet future. The Messiah had not even come the first time, yet Job spoke of his second coming.

Our measuring stick should be the hope of Christ’s return. Holding this hope in mind takes work but anything worth having is worth working for. Whatever we involve ourselves with, we must keep the backdrop of the hope vivid in our hearts and minds. Jesus’ return will happen quickly and we will then be forever with the Lord with a glorious body fashioned like unto his in a new heaven and earth.

Having the hope purifies us and gives us strength when we grow tired or feel discouraged. Do we really look forward to this or are we looking at our present earth? In the new heaven and earth, we will no longer need to be healed. When we read in the scriptures about Jesus Christ in his resurrected body, we remember we will be like him.

Reading Hebrews 11, we learn of the faith of the individuals listed in the “Believer’s Hall of Fame.” These people held on to the faith of God’s promises. They looked to a city whose maker and founder is God. They had hope. In the context of Hebrews 11, we read Hebrews 12:1 and 2 which teach us of Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of faith who did what he did for the joy that was set before him. Jesus did not have an easy life; there were certainly challenges. We should consider him before we give up. God is keeping track and knows what we endure. God also will reward us for our faithfulness in doing His Word. Galatians exhorts us not to be weary in well doing for in due season we will reap if we faint not.

We will have rewards in this life as well as the life to come. God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love when we minister in God’s name. We have the hope as an anchor to our soul. In the storms of life, we must remember that God’s promises are true. It is impossible for God to lie. Jesus pointed out that in the end times iniquity is going to abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Whatever we do, we are to do heartily as to the Lord and not to men. This will keep us from “burning out,” but rather being purified by our hope.