The Line of Hope

Many Christians observe Advent, the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The word “advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus which  means “coming.” Not just any kind of coming, but a significant event that is anticipated with great expectation. We are living between two events: the incarnation of Christ (when God came to earth in human form) and the expectation of His second coming. We are actually living on the line between both events.

How should we live in this inbetween time in light of Jesus’s ministry while waiting for His expected return? We celebrate the birth of Jesus and at the same time we look forward with eager anticipation to the coming of His Kingdom when He returns. How? Through serious reflection, prayer, fasting and repentance followed by hope, peace, joy and love.

We live on the line of hope. Jesus came and established a great teaching, the Good News. He was and is hope and He left us hope to carry us between the two events. We have hope because Jesus brought us salvation and then left us with the Holy Spirit to shepherd us until His return. Because of this hope for a new future and an eternal life, we can eagerly wait while preparing for His return.

For 400 years there is silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Israel had been promised a Messiah and they waited for thousands of years. Can you imagine how they must have felt then hearing nothing from the Lord? They did not give up and they had hope because God keeps His promises and He never fails. They continued to prepare for Him, to watch for Him.

John the Baptist prepared the world for Jesus’s coming by offering hope through the message of repentance. Jesus offered hope through His message of salvation. Both of them prepared our hearts to receive from God and to grow. We need to focus our hearts and minds on what Christ has done, especially during the craziness of the holidays and this pandemic. It is vital for our growth and it gives us hope.

Remember what God has done in your life personally. Each day for the next four weeks, write down two things God has done in your life. When we reflect on what He has already done, we prepare ourselves for what He will do in the future. As we live in this advent time, allow God to test us and to examine our hearts and minds for anything that will get in the way of our preparation for His return. Give thanks for everything He’s done and in faith, praise Him for the things He will do. Spend more time forgiving, embracing, loving and serving one another, just like Jesus.

“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” Psalm 33:18-22

Prayer

For prayer today, reflect on what He has done for you. Praise Him. Give Him thanks. Rejoice and raise a hallelujah!

1. Praise His Holy Name
2. Thank Him for what He has done in your life. Be specific.
3. Thanks Him and praise for the blessings that are yet to be poured over your life.
4. Raise a hallelujah.
5. AMEN!


Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash

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