A Hope Fulfilled - Advent DevotionalSýnishorn

The end of the year and Christmas and New Year celebrations can be difficult for many people. As work activities slow down and preparations for family get-togethers are underway, unbearable mistakes are often recalled, and empty chairs highlight the losses in our lives at the Christmas table. The constant news cycles reminding us of devastating wars, the downward societal spiral of moral decline, and countless lives caught in cycles of poverty and violence are all stark reminders of the brokenness of our world. For many, this time before Christmas can be a time of loss of any hope – a slow descent into despair.

But the Scriptures declare a radically different truth – because of the eternal loving-kindness of God, we can have hope. The Book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures. These poems were written after the destruction of the Jewish temple and the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Faithful tradition proclaims that the prophet Jeremiah wrote this book in which he wrestles with despair during dire circumstances. But, at the center of Jeremiah’s lament, he comes to an extraordinary truth – the steadfast love of God, His loving-kindness, never ceases. God’s mercy knows no end. In this Biblical truth, the prophet declares: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:21, ESV). We have a great hope – God is faithful, and His mercies are renewed every morning.

Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. It is a time of expectant longing for the reign of God in our world. As we prepare to celebrate His first coming, we also long for His final coming, where He will come to rule and reign in holiness and justice. No matter how dark our circumstances are, we place our hope in the eternal light of His coming. God is faithful, His loving-kindness never ends – this is what our hope is based on, this we call to mind. May this Advent be a time of renewed hope, an eternal and steadfast hope that will not disappoint.

Prayer

God, you are faithful! Your steadfast love never ceases; there is no end to your mercy. Come and renew our hope. You are our eternal hope. Come, Lord Jesus! Come and reign in our world.

Corné J. Bekker, D. Litt. et Phil., serves as dean and professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.