The craziness of the world seems endless. There is much to fear. Crime. The economy. Wars and rumors of more war. The government and much of the greed that goes on in it.
And so, the question is where is our hope if we concentrate on all the evil that is around me?
I read a devotion today on that subject, and I want to share it with you for this Season that we call Christmas.
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WHY YOU CAN HAVE HOPE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
In a world filled with hardship, how can we have hope? The answer is the same today as it was 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Read on to find out how we can have hope during the holidays…and year ’round!
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Palms 130:5-8
Hope: to desire or anticipate with the expectation of fulfillment, confident expectation.
For centuries, Israel had been hoping for the Messiah, waiting for Him, expecting Him. After all, God had promised, and as Psalm 145:13 reminds us, “God is faithful to all his promises.” Still, the Israelites had been waiting for a very long time.
Israelites had been waiting for a very long time.
No doubt many of them had ceased to live in expectation.
Perhaps all of the religious rituals they observed no longer kept many of them looking for the Messiah so much as doubting He would ever come. Perhaps that’s why the vast majority of them didn’t notice when He came—they weren’t looking for Him.
It seems they had forgotten one simple truth: God is always at work.
While they were bustling through Bethlehem, an innkeeper was turning away the very Messiah they were hoping for. As they nestled snug in their beds, the Son of God came very near. They just didn’t know it.
Of course, God is still working, though His people don’t always realize it. He still fulfills His promises. He still comes near and walks among us.
The question is: Are we looking for Him?
Do we expect to see Him work among us? Do we watch for Him more than a night watchman waits for morning to come? Do we long to see His face?
As Christmas approaches, we would be wise not to make the same mistake the people of Bethlehem made. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we must focus our minds and hearts on Christ.
We must expect to encounter Him each day for He has promised “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Oh, let us seek Him this holiday season! As we search for gifts and shop for presents, we must remember it is God’s gift to us that brings hope.
Without Christ, there is no Christmas.
BY
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Indeed.
Are we still looking for him? Are we waiting for him? Are we longing for him?
If not, we should be. Jesus didn't stay a baby. He grew up with a purpose. God his father had given him a job to do. And he did it for us.
If we get all wrapped up in the holiday where we go about giving gifts and decorating our trees and forget that the end result in the physical life of Jesus here on earth, we may forget that that end result provided a way for us to have new life in heaven.
And one day, while we are waiting, Jesus will come back. Because he will whether we wait for him or not.
Let us not forget what that baby on earth did as he grew up to do for us as we now celebrate his birth.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield for our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:20-22
Thanks for coming by, Friends. God bless you and yours!
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