The great reformer, Martin Luther, once said that he only had two days on his calendar, today and the day when Jesus returns.  The reason he would say this is because we cannot change the past and we are not promised tomorrow. As the song lyrics say, “one day at a time, sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you.”  But the other reason he would say this is because the day that Jesus comes again greatly impacts today.

We do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return, but we know that He is coming again. The angel said, “’Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”’ Acts 1:11. Knowing this promise is sure, the day of Jesus’ return fills our life with joy today.  The Apostle Paul said, “rejoice in the lord always, again I say rejoice….the Lord is near.”  The Lord is near is a reference to that fact that Jesus’ return is immanent (it can happen at any moment).  Knowing this, we can rejoice today.

Not only does His return give us joy for today, but it also gives us hope for today. Paul calls Jesus’ return our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). No matter what circumstance we are in, we always have hope. When we are sad, separated from our loved ones, grief stricken or broken, we know this is not forever.  Our best life is not now, it is later in glory where there will be no more pain, sorrow, tears, or death.