Dwell Christmas by David BinionHalimbawa

‘This Christmas

Take a little moment to remember

The baby in the manger

The promise of Heaven

Lift up your eyes

There is hope in the night

There is a reason, a reason to sing’

- The Reason, David Binion & Mitch Wong

Hope can be a strange concept to talk about. What gives some people hope could do the opposite for others. In a world full of uncertainties and tension, defining what we should truly depend on is just as important as anything else we could do.  As Christians, our hope is found in one place, Jesus Christ our Savior.  Yet, while logically we can understand this, putting it into practice is usually much harder.

“… the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11, NIV).  If we place our hope in the hands of Jesus, and trust in His righteousness and love, then we will not be forsaken. Our hopes will not be dashed.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV). Another translation breaks this verse down like this:

“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for” (Hebrews 11:1, TPT).

O God, in a world where the people cry out in longing for You without even knowing what it is they are desperate for, Father, we promise to cast our fears at your feet and trust in Your Word; that Your love is unfailing, and that You are faithful to do as You say You will do. We thank You, Lord, that You will be with us always. Only You can satisfy the hunger within us, and we know You are faithful to do so. Let us show the world what lives spent in search of Your eternally fulfilled promises looks like—lives spent celebrating the hope found in You, Jesus.  In Your name we pray, amen.