IN JESUS WE HAVE HOPE
And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
Oftentimes we might feel a bit of a charge during this time of year, but the stress we go through to provide a Christmas for our families is often the very thing that robs us from knowing the wonder for ourselves. We have to plan Christmas, trim the tree, max out the credit cards, wrap the presents, ship them to family members, and then this year, our plans are up in the air on what we should and should not do due to the pandemic.
"And again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope." (Romans 15:11-12)
If Jesus' coming into this world offers hope and peace, how do we locate that experience and use it amid the pandemic in December?
Well, that is the cool thing about hope. Just as total darkness can not hold back the light of a tiny flame, so does even the smallest increment of hope provide joy, peace, and purpose.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Notice the difference between "things hoped for" and "things not seen." Try applying "assurance" to something our five senses can not detect. It is a challenge. The plus side is that hope, through Jesus, is available to us no matter what you see, hear, or feel. It is above all our circumstances.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
Have you ever heard people say, "I don't want to get my hopes up," because they are afraid of being disappointed? What would you make of what Paul says that "hope does not disappoint"? Might that disconnect have something to do with what we are hoping for or expecting?
Hope is not what we would expect; Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; It is a dependence on God for an outcome.
“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Ever wonder why faith, hope, and love are virtues, and in that order? Because hope is not something we do but something we receive, like grace.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Without hope, it would be impossible for God to please us. The same Bible verse says that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Is hope that reward?
Faith is what we give to God and hope is what God gives to us; we have the dynamic of a relationship; we can love with that in place. Love is built on hope, which is built on faith.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Why is there hope? Because Jesus was born, and that is God's gift to us. Everlasting hope and peace knowing that we can spend eternity with Him.
Heavenly Father, my hope is in You. I praise You for all You have provided. But without faith it is impossible to please You, for he who comes to You must believe that You are, and that You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You. I earnestly seek You for You are my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Faith Is What We Give To God And Hope Is What God Gives To Us; We Have The Dynamic Of A Relationship; We Can Love With That In Place. Love Is Built On Hope, Which Is Built On Faith.
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