A Beacon of Hope

Editor’s note: Today’s audio devotion features a combination of these two devotions from Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional by Dr. Billy Graham. We hope you enjoy!

A Beacon of Hope

That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope . . . the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. — Romans 15:4, 13

When I referred to the future that God is planning, a student at the University of Hawaii asked me, “Isn’t this a form of escapism?” I said, “In a sense, yes; and before the devil gets through with this world, we are all going to be looking for the exit signs.”

1. C. S. Lewis, in his remarkable little book Christian Behavior, said,

Hope is one of the theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not, as some modern people think, a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.

In the midst of the pessimism, gloom, and frustration of this present hour, there is one bright beacon light of hope, and that is the promise of Jesus Christ: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again” (John 14:3).

During the years of the World War II, the words of General Douglas MacArthur echoed in the ears of the people of the Philippine Islands while they were under enemy occupation. He had promised, “I shall return,” and he kept the promise. Jesus Christ has also promised, “I shall return,” and He will keep that promise.

Our Father and our God, fill me with Your joy and peace through the Holy Spirit, who lives in me. Renew my confidence for living in this world. Let me be a positive influence on people, the environment, politics, and those I work with every day. Help me to shape my world in a positive way by applying the message of Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Salvation of Society

We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. — Galatians 5:5

The whole nature of individual salvation rests squarely on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But the Bible also teaches that the salvation of society—the reordering of man’s social injustice, war, poverty, and disease—will be taken out of man’s hands someday. We’re not going to achieve all this by education, evolution, politics, technology, military power, or science. Nor will it be achieved by legislation in the congresses and parliaments of nations so as to produce such benevolent acts of man that all hate, evil, and sin will be abolished.

The salvation of society will come about by the powers and forces released by the apocalyptic return of Jesus Christ. It will come through the Kingdom of God in its principles of righteousness. It will be the prophesied fulfillment of redemption applied to every phase of human life and national existence. This is our hope, and it should influence everything we do and everything we think every day of our lives.

Our Father and our God, reach down in compassion and touch our society. Lead us in repentance, and give us courage to turn from materialism and all other false gods and forms of evil and return to You. Forgive us for abandoning You, Lord. And thank You for saving us through the life-giving blood of Jesus! Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham, copyright Billy Graham.

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Your Turn

Worry can loom so large, can’t it? It can darken our days and fill our stomachs and minds until they’re twisted in knots. That’s not the way our good Father wants us to live — tangled in worry. Today, let’s trust Him to provide all that we need at just the perfect timing. Come share your thoughts about God’s faithfulness with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily