Prepare Him RoomSample

The First Sunday in Advent - Hope

The same Love who spoke into creation breathes new life into humanity through Jesus Christ, in whom we have the fullness of grace and truth.

Advent also points us to our Blessed Hope as we anticipate His second coming. When Christ returns, He will wipe away every tear and every pain as we will live in the light of his glorious Kingdom. (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4)

Talk about reasons to celebrate! God has given us peace, salvation, and a steadfast, immovable hope through Jesus Christ. We could spend hours each day focusing and praising God for these aspects of His grace and mercy.

Nevertheless, Paul, the persecuted, thorn-in-the-flesh, always rejoicing, bond-servant of Christ, goes on to say, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations.” Exult in our tribulations? Don’t we usually complain about them so much better?

Maturing in Christ leads us to give thanks in everything. Follow the progression Paul outlined in Romans 5 – from hope to tribulation to perseverance to proven character back to hope.

As a follower of Christ through faith, we know that trials will come (James 1:2). As difficulties swirl around us, we are to realize that Christ strengthens us to persevere, because He who is our Hope, also has given us strength to endure (Philippians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9). Moreover, we fix our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)

The Father is here to embrace and free us from our waywardness. Jesus begins to deal with us in the areas of our unbelief. Through His Spirit, He convicts us of our sin and guides us to confession, repentance, and forgiveness.

His love disciplines and shapes our hearts into the area of proven character – God growing us into His children, righteous and blameless (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 12:10-11). Therefore, we can be glad as we put our hope in Him, of whom we delight and meditate on His word. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Once again, we begin to brightly shine as children of the Light because He is the Light. Our minds are renewed by the hope of Him working in us. (Philippians 2:12-16)

Let us fix the gaze of our souls on the supremacy of our Hope. We keep our eyes on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)

We move from an earthly perspective to a heavenward perspective. He holds us in a robe of love, a hope that does not disappoint. And, although more trials are sure to come, we can rest for the moment exulting in hope, knowing that the glory is for God.

Reflection:

What trials do you presently face – trials of faith, finances, family? Whatever the circumstances, God wants us to exult Him today and in the days ahead.

Father, help us to fix our eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. We praise You for the gift of Christ and the hope we have through Him. Help us in the days ahead, no matter our circumstances, to be a shining example to others of the hope that is in us. Amen.