Vital signs- Saturday, October 14th, 2023

Are We There Yet?

“So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28).

“Are we there yet?” is a four-word question echoed by children everywhere as they find themselves in a car, eagerly awaiting a future destination. This question, which echoes in the seats of thousands of cars, presumes there is somewhere the child is headed that he or she is eagerly looking forward to.

Hebrews 9:28 tells Christians that we have a remarkable thing to look forward to! Jesus is returning. He will appear a second time. The first time He came to die for us and bear the penalty of our sins. The second time He will save us fully from the presence of sin. The first time He ascended after His resurrection. The second time He will descend to live with us forever. The first time He came preaching the kingdom of God. The second time He will come as the reigning King of all.

We sometimes look back and think, “How great would it have been to be here when Jesus was on this earth?” How much more should we look forward with eager expectation to the day of His return? As we look back to what He accomplished at His first coming, let us also long for His return. Let us spend time imagining what that day will be like. Let us worship Him as we anticipate His glorious return. And let us continue to persevere in faith and good works in the present, even as we say over and over again, “Are we there yet?”

What difference should the promise of Christ’s return make in how you live today? What difference should the promise of Christ’s return make in how you think about and plan for the future? How can the promise of Christ’s return help you to persevere when life is challenging?

Jesus, we praise you as the one who came to die for us and bear our sins on the cross. But we also praise you because you have promised that you are coming back. Help us to eagerly await your coming return. Give us the grace we need today to persevere in our faith and help us to live a life that is marked by the hope of your second coming moment. Be at work in our hearts and lives. In Jesus name Amen.

Team Wade loves you and is praying for you❤️👊