Hope That Does Not Disappoint
Monday, April 13
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
Devotion
Paul writes with deep compassion, reminding believers that we are not to grieve like those who have no hope. This does not mean we do not grieve at all, loss is real, and sorrow is a natural expression of love. But as children of a loving Father, our grief is different. It is anchored in hope.
In His loving kindness, God does not leave us in despair when we face the reality of losing a loved one. Especially for those who have died in Christ, heaven’s perspective reshapes our pain. We are not saying a final goodbye, we are saying, “see you later.”
Our hope is rooted in one unshakable truth: Jesus rose from the dead. Because He lives, we too will live. Every person who believes in Him and calls upon His name shares in that same resurrection promise. Death is not the end of the story, it is a doorway into eternity with Him.
As we journey through this series, “The Return of Jesus,” we are reminded that this message is not meant to stir fear, but to awaken a glorious revelation of the hope of our salvation. Scripture assures us that this hope does not disappoint, Romans 5:5 “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” It is secure, eternal, and grounded in the finished work of Christ.
As Pastor Franklin emphasized in Sunday’s message, when we truly embrace this faith-filled perspective, it transforms how we mourn. We still feel the weight of loss, but we are not crushed by it. Our sorrow is carried by the assurance that reunion is coming. Our tears are mingled with expectation.
So when grief comes, let your heart return to this truth:
Because He rose, we will rise.
Because He lives, we have hope.
And because of that hope, even in loss, we can say with confidence
this is not goodbye… it’s see you later.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the reality that though this life on earth is but a vapor, I have all eternity to spend with You forever and with my loved ones who have also called upon Your name. To You, Yahweh, the Eternal One, I give praise. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Hide the hope of eternity in your heart. God placed it there. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts…” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Resources
- Don’t miss the start of our powerful new series, The Return Of Jesus! Today’s message, “Jesus Is Returning,” sets the foundation for a hope-filled journey that will strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of God’s promises.
- If you’ve lost someone in Christ, remind yourself: this is temporary separation, not permanent loss. Let that truth bring comfort when grief resurfaces.