Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 23
Gold Nugget
Verse 18: “For surely there is a hereafter, and your
hope will not be cut off.”
Commentary
“And let us not
grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose
heart.” (Galatians 6:9) When we set out doing good, it is often a challenge
to maintain our endeavors. Sometimes we may wonder if it’s all worth it.
Today’s “gold nugget” reminds us that “…
surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” What is
our hope? “Consider the hereafter mentioned in today’s “gold nugget” when we
read this verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “But
let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and
love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” What is the “hope of
salvation”? Hope is defined in scripture differently than it is today. “Hope”
today is often used as wish, meaning to wish for the best. For example, “I hope
I get that job”. So in today’s usage, hope means uncertainty with optimism. In
scripture, hope doesn’t mean uncertainty, but rather absolute certainty. It’s
simply the waiting period with excitement for what is an absolute certain event
to come.
Consider this definition of Faith found in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.” That is to say, we know what is
going to happen and we wait with expectation for the time to arrive. Such is
the definition of faith concerning salvation; we are waiting with surety of its
arrival. Our excitement while waiting is defined as the “hope of salvation”.
It’s our faith and hope that carries us through, knowing that our choice to
follow Him and His precepts are worth every challenge that comes against us. “…our hope will not be cut off. We are
guaranteed of the hereafter.”
Prayer
Lord, help us to
stay focused and stay the course of obedience in you and love towards others.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us”. (Romans 8:18)
Amen
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