SUSTAINED BY HOPE
This first week of Advent we have been looking at the theme of hope. We have recognized that hope founded on Christ is greater than wishful thinking. As we conclude this first week of Advent I invite you to consider another aspect of hope. Let’s reflect about what is it that hope brings into our lives, community, and world. The Apostle Paul writes, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”(1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV)
Let us never neglect hope for the sake of love. Yes, love is the greatest. It is love by which God entered our world. (John 3:16) It is by loving each other that we are known as Christ disciples. (John 13:35) We will discuss love later on during the four week of Advent. But for now, let us stay focused on hope.
Are you aware that the Bible teaches hope is a result of character building? As we face trials and sufferings the Scriptures speak to the truth that hope is produced in us. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”(Romans 5:3-5, ESV) Another version says, “Now hope does not disappoint . . .”(NKJV)
My brother or sister, I pray that you realize God’s love assures our hope is not in vain, misplaced, shame-based, or disappointing. Our hope, in his love, comes with the promise that he is watching over us. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.”(Psalm 33:18, ESV) What greater joy than to know the only True and Living God, Creator of the universe, revealed in the flesh through Jesus Christ, watches over us. Let’s be determined that our hope in God is not formed by the greatest musical hits such as Bette Midler’s “From a Distance.” But let’s find our hope established on God’s Word.
“Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us even as we hope in you.”(Psalm 33:20-22, ESV) The consoling truth for the believer is God chose to “draw near” through the Incarnation. Now this same God “remains near” to be our Helper by His Spirit. Oh let us rejoice! Let us place our hope in the One who desires to permeate our very being with His love.
Let us never neglect hope for the sake of love. Yes, love is the greatest. It is love by which God entered our world. (John 3:16) It is by loving each other that we are known as Christ disciples. (John 13:35) We will discuss love later on during the four week of Advent. But for now, let us stay focused on hope.
Are you aware that the Bible teaches hope is a result of character building? As we face trials and sufferings the Scriptures speak to the truth that hope is produced in us. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”(Romans 5:3-5, ESV) Another version says, “Now hope does not disappoint . . .”(NKJV)
My brother or sister, I pray that you realize God’s love assures our hope is not in vain, misplaced, shame-based, or disappointing. Our hope, in his love, comes with the promise that he is watching over us. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.”(Psalm 33:18, ESV) What greater joy than to know the only True and Living God, Creator of the universe, revealed in the flesh through Jesus Christ, watches over us. Let’s be determined that our hope in God is not formed by the greatest musical hits such as Bette Midler’s “From a Distance.” But let’s find our hope established on God’s Word.
“Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us even as we hope in you.”(Psalm 33:20-22, ESV) The consoling truth for the believer is God chose to “draw near” through the Incarnation. Now this same God “remains near” to be our Helper by His Spirit. Oh let us rejoice! Let us place our hope in the One who desires to permeate our very being with His love.
SCRIPTURES TO READ:
1 Corinthians 13:13
John 3:16; 13:35
Romans 5:3-5
Psalm 33:18, 20-22
I pray you know that God’s love has penetrated, flooded, and saturated your heart because you have placed your hope in Jesus. Godly hope never disappoints!
You are loved!
Uncle Mike
John 3:16; 13:35
Romans 5:3-5
Psalm 33:18, 20-22
I pray you know that God’s love has penetrated, flooded, and saturated your heart because you have placed your hope in Jesus. Godly hope never disappoints!
You are loved!
Uncle Mike
Posted in Advent
Recent
Archive
2022
June
No Comments