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


Dear Friends,


I pray you are well. 


Last year I wrote four devotionals for the Advent Season, and I have decided to share those same devotionals again this year. My reason is two-fold: 


First, they were well-received and I know they are as relevant today as they were twelve months ago. God's word is always current, isn't it?


Second, I selfishly want to slow down this month as much as I can and focus on God's precious gift to us: Jesus. My work is particularly hectic now, and will be through Christmas. So, I'm going to take a little break while still hopefully encouraging you through this holy season with reprints from last year's Advent devotionals.


God bless you and keep you during this lovely celebration of our Savior's birth.



The Advent Season has officially begun with the first Sunday of Advent being November 27. 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.




8 comments

  1. Thank you for this beautiful devotion. We all need hope and the most wonderful hope in the world is our salvation through Jesus.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. I'm so grateful to our precious Savior, Betsy. He is, indeed, our hope! xo

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  2. Yes, God's word is always relevant!
    Enjoy your break.

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    1. Thanks, Mari. Hope you're enjoying this season with your family. xo

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  3. Thankful for that HOPE!

    Nancy, I think you're wise to pace yourself during this busy time, and have time to really enjoy the season.

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    1. Thank you, my friend. I'm listening to beautiful Christmas music and enjoying my pretty tree. God is good! xo

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  4. He surely is a precious Savior! I am so thankful we live on this side of the promises—when they have been fulfilled, and we live in the dispensation of grace! I trust the Lord will bless you this Christmas season, sweet friend!

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    1. Cheryl, thank you. His grace is truly amazing. I'm fully aware of how generous He is! Hugs.

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