Many people find the time we are living today so confusing and distressing, especially in this time of a pandemic.Yet God’s people, those who hope in
Him, because they know He is trustworthy, can say, « But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair » 2 Cor 4:7-8. The
believer’s hope is unshakeable, as children by faith of Abraham, these words of Scripture will be fulfilled for him: « Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, So numerous shall your descendants be » Rom 4:18.Therefore, faith does not depend on what is seen, but on the assurance of God’s promises and the hope of their fulfillment. In this regard, the prophet Habakkuk said: « Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation » Hab 3:17-18. To those who come to Him with humble and repentant hearts, the Lord says, « See, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear » Isa 59:1. And He assures them that He will answer their call: « Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me » Ps 50:15. At the same time, God gives them strength if God finds that they perseveres in hoping in Him, the Trustworthy: « those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint » Isa 40:31. The great promise that Jesus gives us, in summary of all this, is this: « People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near » Lk 21:26-28. The Lord Jesus, who « is the same yesterday and today and forever » Heb 13:8, is near, let us hope for his
coming!
Monday, 26th: “Jesus Christ, the Faithful Hope”
« The Lord is my portion, says my soul,therefore I will hope in him » Lam 3:24.
Reading 1: Mt 1:18-23. Reading 2: Lam 3:18-26. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Lam 3:24.
Introduction: The hope for Jesus Christ, who is « the same yesterday and today and forever » Heb 13:8 is most certain. Heb.13: 8. To all
who trust in Him, He gives a life full of never-ending peace and happiness, from now on and forever. That is what amazed the Psalmist
and made him say: « My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever » Ps 73:26.
Tuesday, 27th: The hope for Jesus Christ comforts the believer.
« I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also » Jn 14:3b.
Reading 1: 2 Thess 2:13-17. Reading 2: Jn 14:1-12. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Jn 14:3.
Introduction: Jesus would not let His disciples to be discouraged or distracted after He left them when He ascended to heaven. He gave
them a sure hope that He still would return. The angel, in fact, said to the disciples: « Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward
heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven » Act 1:11.
Wednesday, 28th: The hope for Jesus Christ makes the believers rejoice.
« In this you rejoice, […] when Jesus Christ is revealed » 1 Pet 1:6a,7c.
Reading 1: Jn 16:16-22. Reading 2: 1 Pet 1:3-9. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: 1 Pet 1:6-7.
Introduction: The hope for the appearing of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, « with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change »
Jas 1:17b, is a source of endless delight and rejoicing. His promise to all who love Him is: « They who have my commandments and keep
them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them » Jn 14:21.
The Apostle John had that hope when he said, « when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is » 1 Jn 3:2b.
Thursday, 29th: The people of God, people of hope in Jesus Christ.
« But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more » Ps 71:14.
Reading 1: Zech 9:9-12. Reading 2: Ps 71:4-14. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Ps 71:14.
Introduction: God’s people believe and hope in Jesus Christ in all the battles they face. In their fierce race to keep their faith and hope (2
Tim 4:7), they look forward to the prize of « the crown of eternal life » (Jas 1:12;Rev 2:10) will not God grant justice to his chosen ones
who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?. Thus, the Apostle Paul concludes: « Christ in you, the hope of glory »
Col 1:27b.
Friday, 30th: Keep the hope for Jesus Christ.
« Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful » Heb 10:23.
Reading 1: Col 1:19-23. Reading 2: Heb 10:19-23. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Heb 10:23.
Introduction: God Himself commands the believer to hope in Him, and to do so always and without ceasing: « O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time on and forevermore » Ps 131:3. Jesus said, « And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and
night? Will he delay long in helping them? » Lk 18:7. And to any servant whom He finds remaining faithful to the hope for Him, He said,
« Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the
joy of your master » Mt 25:21.
Saturday, 1st: The Hope in Jesus Christ, the way to eternal life.
« For in hope we were saved » Rom 8:24a.
Reading 1: Mt 11:1-6. Reading 2: Rom 8:18-24. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Rom 8:24.
Introduction: The hope for Jesus Christ is the hope for eternal life. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, « [that God] poured out on us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life »
Tit 3:6-7.
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