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PATIENCE OF HOPE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
1 Thessalonians 1:3

James 5:7-11

 

“Be patient therefore, brethren,

unto the coming of the Lord…”

 

PATIENCE OF HOPE
 
American theologian Jonathan Edwards once wrote: “Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs!” That was the heartfelt prayer of a man who loved the Lord, and desired to have his affections set on things eternal and not on things of this earth. This is the “patience of hope” (1 Thess 1:3) that all believers ought to have.
 
This phrase points to the hope that we all share in the promised return of Christ, and because of that hope, we are all patiently looking forward to His return. Although the Thessalonians were a group of young believers, yet they already had the strong desire “to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10).
 
The Greek word for patience carries the idea of remaining steadfast and unmoving under heavy affliction and stress. This was the condition the Thessalonian Christians faced. Paul acknowledged that they “have suffered like things of your own countrymen” (1 Thess 2:14), referring to persecutions that they faced at the hands of the Gentiles. Yet they continued to remain steadfast, and eagerly looking forward to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
All this could be possible, because it was based only upon their true and earnest hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were confident and assured that the Christ in whom they put their faith and trust will certainly return one day, and their hope will be fulfilled.
 
All Christians should live with such a forward-looking mindset. We know that this world is not our home, and we are but pilgrims and sojourners waiting for the blessed hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. As James 5:8 also exhorts us: “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
 
THOUGHT: Do I need to be patient if I am not earnestly looking forward to an event?

PRAYER: Father, may Thou stamp eternity on my eyeballs!

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