Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family – a wife, Anna, and five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.

On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. Among the passengers were Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. His plan was to take another ship.

About four days into the crossing of the Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She knelt there with Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will, or to make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children.

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later recalled Anna saying, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.”

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down.

According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” while on this journey.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Chorus:

It is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well with my soul

Anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. In August 1881, the Spafford’s moved to Jerusalem. Mr. Spafford died and is buried in that city.

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7.

Mr. Spafford had that blessed hope.

You know, there are two kinds of hope—worldly or Christian. With worldly hope, we hope for the things we want such as (I hope I get the job or I hope she’ll marry me). We hope for good outcomes (I hope my child returns home safely; I hope I don’t get sick). But worldly hope is not a virtue, as it usually contains some degree of uncertainty, doubt, and personal bias and can often be misdirected and selfishly I Timothy 6:17 tells us “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

So then, The biblical definition of hope is “the sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future.” The believer’s hope is not a faint or obscure wish but “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). In Scripture, hope is a virtuous quality because it contains no doubt, always trusting in God’s faithfulness and presence no matter the circumstances, whether good or bad. Psalm 71:5 (For though art my hope, oh God).

The apostle Paul includes hope among the three indispensable Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is the greatest because God values it most (1 Corinthians 13:13) and because it is eternal (1 Corinthians 13:8). Neither faith nor hope will be needed in heaven; we won’t have to trust an unseen God or anticipate His appearance because we will see Him and be with Him in the perfection of His presence forever.

Hope and faith are closely tied because both operate based on trusting God and living according to what is unseen. The author of Hebrews explains that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, ). Regarding hope, Paul reasons, “But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” (Romans 8:24). Like faith, hope is built on our unwavering confidence in God’s goodness and power to do what He says He will do because of His unfailing love for us (Psalm 33:18; 146:5). Such confidence declares about our Savior, “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). Biblical hope, like faith, takes custody here and now of God’s good promises yet to come.

Christians use hope in both senses. A pastor may say, “I hope today’s sermon blesses you.” The apostle Paul writes, “I hope to see you” (Romans 15:24) and “I hope to come to you soon” (1 Timothy 3:14) in his letters to fellow believers. But the believer’s hope is so much more than wishful thinking. The apostle Peter explains that God “has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). We have the “hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” (Titus 1:2). We don’t merely wish we’ll go to heaven when we die; the Bible says we can know it with all certainty: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Paul’s hope was so secure in his eternal future that he was willing to suffer and die for it: “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6; see also Acts 26:6). Paul said that without faith and hope in God’s promise of resurrection life, Christians “are more to be pitied than anyone in the world” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

The biblical definition of hope includes not only the act of confident expectation but also the object of it—“Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1). The psalmist writes, “For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth” (Psalm 71:5). Jesus Christ is the “hope of Israel” (Jeremiah 14:8; Acts 28:20) and of all nations and peoples (Isaiah 42:4; Matthew 12:21; Romans 15:12–13; 1 Timothy 4:10).

Having only temporal hope in people and things of this life is, in reality, to live in a state of hopelessness, “without hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12). By contrast, the believer’s hope cannot be frustrated or hindered by anything in this life. We know what we have safely “stored up for [us] in heaven” (Colossians 1:5), where our treasures are kept secure (Matthew 6:19–20).

What does Titus 2:12-13 really mean?

Titus 2:12-13 is about the transformative power of grace that teaches us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we eagerly await the blessed hope—the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Setting the Scene for Titus 2:12-13

In Titus chapter 2, the scene is set on the island of Crete, where the apostle Paul has left Titus to oversee the churches and instruct the believers. Titus is a trusted companion of Paul and a young leader in the early Christian church. The believers on the island are a mix of new converts and seasoned followers of Christ, with a variety of backgrounds and life experiences.

As the scene unfolds, Titus is gathered with a group of believers in a humble meeting place, possibly a simple home or a shaded area outdoors. The warm Mediterranean sun filters through the windows, casting a gentle light on the faces of those present. The group includes older men and women, younger men and women, as well as slaves and masters, all eager to learn and grow in their faith.

Titus, with a heart full of love and wisdom beyond his years, begins to teach and exhort the believers, reminding them of the grace of God that brings salvation and instructing them to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. The atmosphere is one of reverence and earnestness, as each person listens intently, desiring to honor God in all aspects of their lives. The words of Titus resonate deeply with the group, stirring their hearts to live in anticipation of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What is Titus 2:12-13 about?

Titus 2:12-13 reminds us of the importance of living a godly life while eagerly anticipating the return of Christ. This verse emphasizes the need for us to be intentional in our actions and behaviors, ensuring that they align with God’s will and reflect His glory. The idea of living a godly life implies that we are actively striving to live in accordance with God’s commandments and principles, seeking to grow in our faith and righteousness each day. We are called to live in a manner that honors Christ and serves as a testimony to others as we await His return. This verse serves as a reminder that we are not to be passive spectators in our faith journey but rather active participants who are constantly seeking to deepen our relationship with God. We prioritize spiritual growth, cultivate a heart of gratitude and service, and share the love of Christ with those around us by living in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Reflecting on this verse prompts us to ask ourselves: Are we living our lives in a way that pleases God? Are we eagerly anticipating Christ’s return with hopeful expectation and active faith? Let’s use this reminder as a springboard to evaluate our daily actions and attitudes, striving to live in a way that glorifies God and honors the sacrifice of our Savior.

Understanding what Titus 2:12-13 really means

The Book of Titus, penned by the Apostle Paul to Titus, a young pastor in Crete, serves as a guide for church leadership. Within this context, Titus 2:12-13 underscores the importance of leading a godly life while anticipating the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The verses teach us that God’s grace instructs believers to reject ungodliness and worldly desires, urging us to align our lives with His will. This aligns with Romans 12:2, which emphasizes the transformation of our minds away from worldly patterns.

Furthermore, the passage urges believers to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. This call to disciplined and devout living echoes 1 Peter 1:15-16, emphasizing the holiness we are called to embody as children of God. Additionally, the verses prompt us to eagerly anticipate the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s glorious return. This anticipation is a central theme in Christianity, as highlighted in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where the second coming of Christ is described in vivid detail.

In today’s world, filled with distractions and temptations, these verses remain relevant, reminding us to prioritize a life that honors God amidst the chaos. They offer hope and encouragement, anchoring believers in the promise of Christ’s return. Consider a personal anecdote of someone who turned away from a life of sin, finding peace and purpose in embracing a godly lifestyle inspired by the hope of Christ’s imminent return. This narrative illustrates the transformative power of these teachings, urging readers to adopt a similar mindset and eagerly anticipate Jesus’ return.

In conclusion, Titus 2:12-13 serves as a clarion call for believers to shun sin, pursue righteousness, and eagerly await the return of our Savior. Let us reflect on our lives, aligning them with these principles, drawing strength and hope from the promise of Christ’s imminent return. Embrace the teachings of these verses, allowing them to shape your daily walk with God and infuse your life with purpose and anticipation.

Are we living in accordance with God’s grace?

The verse mentioned in Titus talks about living in accordance with God’s grace. This means that as believers, we are called to live in a way that reflects the gift of salvation we have received through God’s grace. We are expected to uphold moral values, be obedient to God’s commandments, and strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Living in accordance with God’s grace also means understanding that we are saved not by our own works, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are called to walk in humility, gratitude, and a spirit of thanksgiving. We should rely on God’s strength, guidance, and wisdom to navigate through our daily lives and make decisions that align with His will. Living in accordance with God’s grace ultimately involves a continual journey of growth and transformation. It involves seeking to deepen our relationship with God, serving others with love and compassion, and allowing His grace to shape and mold us into the image of Christ. It is through this process that we can experience the fullness of God’s blessings and live a life that glorifies Him.

Application

Let’s shed the baggage of worldly distractions and embrace discipline and righteousness in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Let’s strive for a life that shines brightly with faith and virtue as we look forward to the hope and joy of Christ’s return. Are we ready to stand strong against temptation and walk the path of righteousness, eagerly anticipating the glorious return of our Savior?

Key Bible Verses About Hope:

Romans 5: 2 -5

Romans 15:13

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 62: 5 – 6

Church, Jesus is coming again. Shall we rejoice in that Blessed Hope. Selah, think on these things.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Amen.