Embracing Advent: Hold on to HOPEናሙና

HOPE OF SALVATION

There are a few places where the Bible talks about the armor of God. An important helmet is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5...

We must stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the HOPE of salvation over our thoughts.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (TPT)

We need the helmet of the HOPE of salvation on our heads because our anxious thoughts lead us away from hope. When we let our minds wander and focus on our present-day difficulties, instead of focusing on the One who is Lord over all, we lose sight of the eternal promises we’ve been given through Jesus.

Consider the story of Peter walking on water… Jesus calls for him to come out on the water…

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.

– Matthew 14:29-30 (NLT)

As soon as Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and starts looking around him, he begins to falter. So, how do we keep our eyes from wandering when life is difficult? How do we put on hope as a helmet to protect ourselves from our anxious thoughts?

We can read God’s word, where we find our hope. (Psalm 119)

We can go to the Lord in prayer, who promises to hear us and give us hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

We can surround ourselves with a community of Christian believers that will support and encourage us as we put our hope in our salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Some days, however, we might feel like the wind and waves are too big to ignore. There are still times when we lose our focus, just like Peter...

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.

– Matthew 14:30-31 (NLT)

I love that Jesus was right there to catch him. And I think that is part of the “hope of salvation” — knowing that, when we put our trust in Jesus, He will be there to catch us, too.

This Advent season, try not to let yourself be distracted by the wind or waves around you. Be clearheaded, protect your head with the helmet He offers, and keep your thoughts focused on the HOPE we have in Christ. Jesus’ birth was just the beginning of the story of God coming to dwell with us and die for us so that we can hold on to the HOPE of salvation.

This 7-day plan is adapted from Embracing Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaos by Jen Ludwig. If you'd like to continue to embrace God's gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love through the Advent season, connect with Jen at www.jenludwig.com or @embracingadvent.