Christ Our Continual Hope

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit—Romans 15:13 (NIV)  

For Insight

It’s not unusual for hope to be high and then plummet based upon our circumstances. If things are looking up, we are filled with hope. But if they look bleak, we might be filled with despair, become discouraged and depressed. Typically, our measurement for hope becomes about people and circumstances. If the answers to our questions: “Are they ever going to change? Will my health ever improve? Will I get that job or promotion? Am I going to be able to pay all my bills this month?” can be answered in the affirmative then we are good but if not, then our hope isn’t too high. Because hope can be based upon external factors before it is felt internally it becomes relative, subjective, coming and going based upon what we are facing or feeling.   

Because hope can come and go it’s not unusual to feel hope is elusive. God knew sin changed the narrative. Adam and Eve were people of hope until sin entered in. God sent his Son, Jesus, so our hope does not need to be relative, subjective, situational, or circumstantial. It does not need to depend upon human cooperation, disposition, or goodness but can be placed upon the unchangeable faithfulness and power of Christ who is our Hope.  

When we’re feeling hopeless it’s good to shift our gaze. Instead of looking to others or our circumstances we should fix our eyes on Christ. We can see him enter at Christmas as a baby or focus on him as our full-grown Savior, hanging on the cross. Our hope is not only in the manger but its hanging on the cross and because Jesus rose from the grave our hope is with us today. We can remember because Christ is always with us change is always possible. He is not our God of the past only but the God of our present and future.

Jesus what a relief we don’t need to keep searching or resolve ourselves to be hopeless people, but we can fix our eyes on you and receive the hope you bring and give. Amen   

Christmas Mindfulness

See what God said about giving you hope Read Jeremiah 29:11