And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:3 ESV
What is biblical hope?
It’s more than optimism, which is defined as “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.”
Christians are more than glass-half-full people. Biblical hope means seeing more than silver linings, it means seeing a person: Jesus.
In this episode of the Bible Better Podcast, Jordan is joined by Dr. Doug Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary. Dr. Groothuis is the author of Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. In this podcast, Jordan and Dr. Groothuis dig into philosophy and it’s relationship to Christianity. They dive deep into questions that Dr. Groothuis has fielded as a professor of Philosophy and a Christian, and explore how the Bible itself aids the exploration of Christianity and Philosophy together.
Join Jordan Loftis, Editor of Short Daily Devotions, and Dr. Doug Groothuis for an exploratory episode of the Bible Better Podcast.
Today’s devotion by Jordan Loftis, author of The Men With Bare Feet, host of The Bible Better Podcast, Bible Teacher at Valor Global Online School, and teaching pastor.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)
We spend a lot of time thinking about God’s plans for us.
While this is definitely a good thing, it’s easy to have the attitude: “It’s all about me.”
It is true that God cares about every intricate detail in our lives. Jesus said that even the hairs on our heads are numbered (Luke 12:7). And after all, when compared to God, everything is small.
But should we expect that the main purpose of God’s plans is to make us happy right here, right now?
Jeremiah’s message in today’s devotional verses is radically different.