“Fully set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Pet.1:13)
Dear Jesus, you give us a peace, joy, and hope that can’t be found anywhere else. You love us perfectly. You are sovereign over every acre of the planet, tick of the clock, king of the earth, and chapter in our story. When you return, you will finish what you’re already doing—making all things new. Hallelujah, and thank you.
Because of you, Jesus, we don’t have to live in fear, regret, or anger. To be alive is to lament stories that grieve us, shed tears for people who sadden us, and feel vulnerable about things that threaten us. But to be yours is to realize only you and your coming Kingdom are ultimate. Your sovereign grace, not accidental karma, gets the first, middle, and last word. Make this good news daily news to us, Lord.
For by nature we are hope-setters—looking to someone or something to make things better and put things right. By our new-nature, however, we know “horses and chariots” (Ps.20:7), cash reserves and government leaders, graceless religion and our best efforts cannot save us. That rests on you, Jesus. Either you are the Savior of the world, or we are helpless, hapless, and hopeless.
So on the 1st day of November, 2024, we are thrilled to affirm your tomb has never been more empty. Your throne has never been more occupied. Your return has never been more certain. By past grace you have completely saved us. By present grace you are changing us and ruling the cosmos. By future grace you will usher in the new heaven and new earth, and totally make us like yourself. Hallelujah! Jesus, turn our whimpers and whines into wonder and worship. So Very Amen.