I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT)

Devotion:

It’s hard to believe in something you can’t see, much less draw hope from it. God knows that, and in his great wisdom and mercy… he sent us Jesus. Followers of Jesus have the capacity to be the most hope-filled creatures on the planet. One of the main reasons God sent Jesus to earth was to give us hope. Colossians 1 says that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God.” Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the “exact representation of his being.” How can we be hopeful that there is a God even when we haven’t seen him? Jesus. Jesus was sent to show us exactly who God is and that we can put our HOPE in him ... hope in his provision for today and in his promises for tomorrow.

Hope is meant to be experienced and not just defined. Hope is trust in action, and the reverse can be true, as well. Hope is the thing that can make you smile when nothing else can. In the midst of even the darkest time or circumstance, hope gives you a reason to carry on. Just ask Jeremiah. (See Lamentations 3:21-24.) 

At Christmas time, it’s so easy to become catatonic spiritually and just let the roar of the world tell us what Christmas is about. Stuff … Santa … more stuff … Starbucks’ red cups… Don’t let that happen this year. Wake up, Believer! Christmas is about us getting a very clear picture of who God is because we see Jesus in the flesh. God sent Hope to the world in the form of a baby … so we could know him. God is saying, “You want to see and know me? Look at him. This is what Hope looks like.” God leaving the splendor of heaven to come and be with us. And ultimately giving himself to save us. That’s great Hope. That’s Hope we can trust!

PRAYER

God, help me to experience the Hope of this Advent season. Thank you for reminding me that Jesus was sent to help us see You and to experience You. You have provided a way for us to have Hope for this world and beyond. You have given me Hope for this day and what I face. I will trust Your Hope today.

Larry Harrison

Pastor of Worship Ministries

Larry Harrison is Pastor of Worship Ministries at Crossings Community Church. Larry is passionate about helping people find and follow Jesus and shepherding them through use of the creative arts.

Resources: 

• Watch “Hope Changes Everything” message
• Watch “A Living Hope” teaching series on I Peter 
  
• Worship Song: O Holy Night
• Listen to Crossings Christmas playlist on SoundCloud

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