Monday Morning Encouragement - The Beginning of Advent: Hope

 


"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20


The Advent Season has officially begun with the first Sunday of Advent being November 28. For the next four weeks we will explore each of the four themes of Advent: Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.


Hope

The biblical meaning of hope is "confident expectation." The Old Testament prophets had hope -- a confident expectation -- that God would keep His promise found in Isaiah 53; that He would send a Redeemer to save His people from their sins. Almost 800 years later the birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled that promise.


An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”)." Matthew1:20-23. 


This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."


Although the prophets did not live long enough to see God's promise of a Savior fulfilled, their hope did not fade. They had absolute faith that God would do what He said He would do.


Gotquestions.org gives a wonderful definition of what our hope is today: "The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3). Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5). Hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-25). It is the future hope of the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6), the promises given to Israel (Acts 26:6-7), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25), eternal glory (Colossians 1:27), eternal life and the inheritance of the saints (Titus 3:5-7), the return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14), transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3), the salvation of God (1 Timothy 4:10) or simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1)."


Jesus Christ is our Living Hope! Praise His name!


Today's music video Living Hope by Phil Wickham is a beautiful reminder of what Jesus has done to secure our salvation. What a precious Savior we have!




I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.




10 comments

  1. What a blessing it was to read this. Thank you.💙

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    1. Sandi, it's my pleasure to share the truth of God's word. Thank you for your visit and comment. xx

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  2. I too have absolute faith that God will do what He says He will do and wait expectantly for His return.

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  3. I love celebrating Christmas, the fulfilment of God's promise to send a savior!

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  4. Love this! I love Advent and all it means, beginning with HOPE.
    Have a wonderful week!

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  5. Beautiful song and words today. Amen. Have a great new week ahead. xoxo

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  6. Yes, without Hope we don't have much to live for... HOPE has always been my salvation, no matter what. Thank you for the reminders and the beautiful song! xoxo Marilyn

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    1. My pleasure, Marilyn. We all need hope. Especially in these trying times. Be well, my friend. xx

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