Beyond spiritual hope, God gives us physical hope as we look forward to the return of Jesus.

LEAD US BACK

Lead us back where we belong

Call us as Your very own

Lead us back

Safe into Your arms

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 2:14-17

Today, we look around and see a world in chains. Instead of the physical chains of the Israelites, we see the spiritual chains caused by sin. Again, God has promised us Jesus. By putting our faith in Him, we can be a part of the Kingdom of God and the plans He has for the world. Beyond a spiritual hope, He gives us a physical hope as we look forward to the return of Jesus. 

On a personal level, we look back to a time when we lived out of a simple trust in God. Just like Israel, we may not know God’s specific plans, but we can know God. We can pray and look to God to deliver us from the chains of complacency and relight the fire of faith, making us into ‘souls on fire.’ The passage we are reading today encourages us to give thanks to God who:

…always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. - 2 Corinthians 2:14

What a great picture! You and I are a part of Jesus Christ’s great victory parade, and what’s more, God wants to lead us to places and situations where we can spread the sweet fragrance of Christ. Not only are we trophies of God’s grace, we can act as spiritual air fresheners bringing the freshness of life and love into dank and decaying lives and circumstances.

Prayer:

God,

I pray that you will lead me back to the place you have prepared for me. I pray that you will help me to know you and trust you with a faith like Israel so that I will be secure in your guidance, direction and love.

Amen.

(Days 18 and 19 written by Mark Lee of THIRD DAY)