Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow
This morning we traveled to Lakewood for grandson Caed’s flag football game. His team won and Caed threw a touchdown pass. He was very excited and so were his seven-year old teammates. We went by to see my mother and drop off some books for her. We then returned to Fort Collins for a graduation reception for Anna Luzinski (youngest daughter of our friends Craig and Cyndy). We brought granddaughter, Eliana home with us for the night. We return to Lakewood tomorrow to speak at a Sunday School class at Southern Gables Church.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:8,9 HCSB
The words of the well-known hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” contains that words, “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…” I don’t know if the hymn writer took those words from Paul’s opening words to the Church at Corinth but they certainly fit that theme.
Corinth was a tough Roman city in which to be a follower of Christ. Paul recognizes God’s “amazing grace” in this city and among this people that he lived with for eighteen months. He said, “I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus…” (1 Corinthians 1:4 HCSB) Those who seem to struggle the most and seem self-sufficient and see no need of God in their life are good candidates for God’s grace extended through Christ. Knowledge and intellect and cultural advancement don’t earn relationship with God, it is all because of God’s grace.
Paul goes on and observes that this church displayed the evidence of Christ’s work in them and through them. They had the knowledge and ability to declare Christ’s message and spiritual gifts that demonstrated a power beyond human ability. “You were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge…you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ (1 Corinthians 1:5,7 HCSB)
This church was well aware of the promised return of Christ. As a matter of fact at the end of this letter, (Chapter 15) Paul will address how the resurrection of Christ guarantees our own resurrection into Christ’s presence. What we see of importance is the continuing work of Christ’s grace from the time of “spiritual birth” to the time when Christ returns.
Paul says with confidence, “He will strengthen you to the end…” We can be assured that the Lord allows us to go from “strength to strength.” The psalmist asserts that those whose “….hearts are set on pilgrimage…go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.“ (Psalm 84:7 NIV) We are to view ourselves as “pilgrims” headed for a spiritual City of God, our own promised land, that will be our permanent home.
As God provides on-going strength for the journey, He works in us and through us to accomplish His purposes. Even as Paul addresses important issues that needed attention and correction in the Corinthian church, so the Lord “admonishes and corrects” us for our good. God uses the context of His church to those ends as well. Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16 NIV)
In all of this we see the Lord’s commitment reflected in Philippians 1:6 (NIV), “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” What the Lord begins by His grace and strength, He completes. When He returns our “work on earth is done.” Our confidence and hope is, “…we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2 NIV)
We have this confidence, because God is faithful. Even when we are not, He is.
Prayer for today…. “Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and grace. Grace that calls us into fellowship with you and Your faithfulness that demonstrates Your commitment to work in me and through me. Continue to give me the strength I need for each day as I trust in You. Thank you for the hope of an eternity in Your presence and Your work in me until that day comes.”