Resting in Advent Hope
As the first week of Advent comes to a close, I want to invite you to take some time today and dwell on the glorious hope that came to us when Jesus Christ was born. Below you will find some Scriptures we have looked at over the week, some links to songs that focus on our Advent hope, and a simple prayer to help us refocus our thoughts towards our Savior. May God refresh your hearts today with the unshakable, never failing, eternal hope he gifted us with the birth of his Son.
Rest in His Word
"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir." - Galatians 4:4-8
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
"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
A Prayer To Encourage
Father, thank you for the birth of your Son. The hope of the world was born in that manger. You brought Jesus into the world to live the life I couldn’t live and pay the price I was meant to pay. I was dead in my sins, but because of the work of your son on the cross, you have cancelled the record of debt that stood against me! Because of your great love, you have forgiven me. You have saved me. This hope cannot be stolen from me. It is unshakeable and sufficient.
Help me to remember that my hope doesn’t rest in the circumstances around me, but in the gift of your Son. I pray that I would not lose sight of this glorious hope in the busyness of the season. May my heart be spurned to worship as I reflect on the perfect hope I’ve been given. Help me to boldly proclaim this hope to a weary and broken world.
Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for reconciling me through your Son. Thank you for a hope that never leaves me, no matter what my days may look like. I pray you are honored in all that I say and do this Advent season.
Amen
