August 4 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 4 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE  – Part III

Colossians 1:3-5 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven . . . “

Yesterday’s devotion was about love.  I stated previously that from faith flows love and hope.  Today’s devotion will focus upon the hope that flows from the faith and love God gives you in His Son Jesus.  The Greek word for hope means to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial which is much stronger than the way we use the word hope in our common conversations.  Hebrews 11:1 gives us a good Biblical definition for the word hope: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

From the Biblical meaning of hope it is quite apparent of the close connection between “faith” (devotion on Friday) and “hope.”  Because of the faith the Holy Spirit has given you in Jesus and through that faith in your Heavenly Father, your hope for the present, future and even eternity is sure and certain.  Because of your faith your hope is confident God will do all He has promised you.

St. Paul poses and answers this rhetorical question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  His answer, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32) The hope you have is found at the end of Romans 8, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Your hope, as the word is used here in Colossians, is based upon your faith in Jesus.  Peter writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, through the power of the Gospel strengthen my hope in Christ for now and all eternity.  Amen.

Seek where you may To find a way That leads to your salvation.

My heart is stilled, On Christ I build, He is the one foundation.

His Word is sure, His works endure; He overthrows

All evil foes; Through Him I more than conquer.

Seek whom you may To be your stay, None can redeem his brother.

All helpers failed; This man prevailed, The God-man and none other.

Our Servant-King Of whom we sing

We’re justified Because He died, The guilty being guiltless.

Seek Him alone Who did atone, Who did your souls deliver

O seek Him first, All you who thirst For grace that fails you never.

In ev’ry need Seek Him indeed; To every heart

He will impart His blessings without measure.

My heart’s delight, My crown most bright, O Christ, my joy forever.

Not wealth nor pride Nor fortune’s tide Our bonds of love shall sever.

You are my Lord; Your precious Word Shall guide my way

And help me stay Forever in Your presence.

(LSB 557)