Concerning all the things that God has promised us, we need to have hope; we must expect the goodness of God. We should take Israel for our example and inspiration: The hope (Ha Tikvah) the Jews had did not disappoint. For after close to two thousand years in exile, God indeed brought them back to repossess Israel and Jerusalem. As long as our hope is in God, it is just a matter of time before we ‘enter the promised land’.

Now, there is a hope above all hopes that every one of us should have. This greatest of hopes for us believers is called The Blessed Hope in the Bible. The Blessed Hope is the expectation of the return of Jesus – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The unique and amazing thing about this Blessed Hope is that whether we have it or not, it will not disappoint. What I mean by this is that whether or not we look forward to the soon coming of Jesus, He will by all means return soon. However, God wants you and I to have this Blessed Hope because only those who are hoping for and looking forward to Jesus’ return will enter the Kingdom of God.

You see, the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). But those who are hoping for Jesus (and His Kingdom) will walk in righteousness and thereby inherit the Kingdom. Therefore, it is for our own good that we should hope for the soon coming of our Lord. That hope will enable us to prepare ourselves for our King by living godly lives. That way, we shall be part of His Kingdom when He returns not so long from today. But please remember that whether we hope for it or not, the glorious appearing of our Saviour will still happen – the Blessed Hope will not (because it cannot) disappoint.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

God bless you.