READ: ISAIAH 9:1-7 (NLT)
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us…And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
REACT
Did someone press the fast forward button on the calendar remote control? Where did the time go? Just last week, we were giving thanks and filling our bellies with turkey (tofurky for my fellow vegetarians). Now, it’s December and Christmas is around the corner. Blink twice, then it will be a new year! December also marks the season of Advent - a centuries old celebration in which we prepare our hearts and anticipate the return of Christ.
Advent is a fancy word which means to come; or, the arrival of something or someone. Religion and tradition aside, advent is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God our Father. We longingly anticipate Christ’s Second Coming, and remember His good works. This year, Advent starts on December 3rd, and continues for four weeks leading up to Christmas day. During this period, each week focuses on one of four themes: hope, preparation, joy, and love. This week, let’s talk about hope. To have hope is to boldly believe and expect that God will fulfill His promises.
In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would give birth to a Son, and His name would be Immanuel. We see this promise fulfilled generations later in the New Testament. Matthew 1:1-16 (NLT) gives us the genealogy of Jesus and verse 16 tells us “...Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.” Later in verses 22-23 Matthew tells us, “All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet: Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
The gift of salvation, made possible by the birth and sacrifice of Jesus, is one of many promises given to us by our God our Father. God will not break any promise He’s made to His children. In Psalm 145:13 (NLT), David declares “…The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does.” God promises blessings to His children: comfort for the hurting, provision for those in need, help in times of struggle, peace in the midst of storms; as well as patience, grace, and mercy when we step out of line and mess up.
Just as God fulfilled His promise for the Messiah to come, He will make good on all His promises to us - including the promise of the Second Coming. Revelation 3:11 (MSG) proclaims, “I am on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.” I don’t know about you, but the hope of these promises being fulfilled sustains me.. I wouldn’t be able to withstand the many storms and battles I face without hope that Christ will return and Heaven is in my future. Where does your hope lie?
RESPOND
Is your “hope cup” in need of refreshment? Recall a time when God fulfilled His promise to you; then find one or two promises in the Bible and commit them to memory. Is there someone in your life who can use a bit of hope? What will you do to share the message of hope with them?
SONG OF THE WEEK:
You Keep Hope Alive (Mandisa, Jon Reddick)
*O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (for KING + COUNTRY) (*Bonus track for those who sing Christmas songs year round!)
-DNelson, 12/01/23
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