GLORIOUS HOPESpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: I am with you to the end of the world. Beloved! I greet you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Today, we see that many people lead their life by putting their trust and hope in other people. They trust government officials, political leaders, kith and kin, their riches. They believe that with the support of all this, they can be successful. However, they will soon experience bitterness when all these sources fail them and fade away. But the Bible says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” (Psalm 125:1, 40:4). But our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself on the Cross as a sacrifice for us is certainly not like these sources. He has promised us in His word “Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the world…” (Matthew 28:29).
Apostle Paul who went through many sufferings for the sake of Christ, experienced the love of Christ in spirit, soul and body. He says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
When you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10: 9). When you meditate on His sufferings, and are thankful, He will deliver you from all your hardships, worries, afflictions, sufferings and help you to lead a peaceful life. The victory from the cross will give a life of victory!
Many years ago there lived a great man called Abraham Lincoln who was the president of the United States of America. His prime goal was to release the blacks from their slavery. And the day came when He was able to achieve it. However his dream was short lived when a man shot down President Lincoln dead because of this. When Lincoln’s body was being taken in a procession to the cemetery, one black woman who was a former slave (she was released from her bondage because of Lincoln’s new law ) said to the child in her arms with great affection, “My daughter see this righteous man, he had to give his life for you that you would no longer be in bondage”, she said this and wept bitterly. Because of Lincoln there was hope for her and other blacks who were no more slaves.
The word of God says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18).
Yes! There were people who were destined to hell because of their sinful life, yet they despised Jesus as He was hanging on the cross, saying, “Behold a mad man is hanging on the cross.” Still, Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice for us on the cross of Calvary so that we can be saved from our sins and receive His power. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, we have Heavenly hope in Him. Yes! It is this hope that makes us to live with Him in eternity.
Prayer:
Loving Father,
I thank You for You have promised that You will be with me to the end of the world. Help me not to put my trust in man or anything that steals my love and time from You. Help me to be thankful to You for giving me a hope in Christ. Fill me with Your grace and help me to live a victorious life. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
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