Christmas, The Promise of Hope

Christmas

The Promise of Hope

Hope is a word I like to toss around a lot.

“I hope it doesn’t rain. I hope to lose five pounds. I hope the kids can visit for Christmas.”

In each statement my heart is hopeful, but unfortunately, I know my hope is not secure in anything sure, anything certain.

In the Old Testament, we find several promises of hope for God’s chosen people. 

Even in their constant rebellion, God provided this promise.

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel meaning: God with us. That’s a beautiful promise of hope, isn’t it?

But let’s provide a bit of a backdrop.

This life changing, eternity shaking promise was given through Isaiah, a prophet, to King Ahaz, King of Judah, God’s chosen people.  But here’s the rub….

King Ahaz “did not do right in the sight of the Lord…” 2 Chronicles 28:1

The Bible records that he worshipped idols, destroyed items from the temple and even sacrificed his own sons in fire.

Yet, God spoke to him through Isaiah, and gave to him one of the greatest glimpses of hope that would ever be recorded.

Yes, God gave a promise of His enduring commitment that would impact all of eternity in spite of the wicked king to whom He had promised it.

God has a history of revealing his plan to a cast of sinners. Not because of who they are, but because of who He is.

To the serpent in the Garden of Eden, God said, “Because you have done this…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise(crush) you on the head and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:14-15

God had already put into place a plan of redemption for us as sinners. Over 2000 years before the birth of Christ, He ignites a hope of redemption.  “He” would, someday, crush the head of the enemy. We know now that the “He” referred to Jesus. 

To Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

Yet we know that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were barren. Even with their disobedience in the waiting, God was faithful to His word. Jesus is a descendant of Abraham.

Our English word for hope is limited to our abilities, our thinking. The dictionary describes hope as a “feeling of expectancy.” The problem with that is obvious. What happens when the feeling is gone?  You’ve got it, “hope” goes with it.

Our hope is only as valid as the object in which we place it.

God is a God of real hope. In fact, He is our only Hope.

It is a hope that is sure, certain, a promise guaranteed by Him.

It is a hope that says, even if you mess up, Adam and Eve, I’ve got a plan for your redemption already in place.

It is a hope that says even if you are barren Abraham and Sarah, I have a plan for your children.

It is a hope that says, even to a wicked King Ahaz, I will bring forth a baby and He will be God with us. 

It is a hope that says no matter what you are facing, I “will never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It is a hope that says in the words of persecuted Paul, “…of Christ Jesus, who is our hope.” 1 Timothy 1:1

Jesus Christ, our living Hope for yesterday, today and forever.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior, let’s lean into the one who is our hope, Jesus. 

jeannaswann

#nowuntohimwhoisable