Worship
“Hope Has a Name” by Passion, featuring Kristian Stanfill
Scripture
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'” -Isaiah 35:3-4 (ESV)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” -Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” -Romans 15:13 (ESV)
The Historical Context of Hope
The prophets of old declared hope was on the way; wise men looked for Him. He was surely soon to arrive. For hundreds and hundreds of years, the Israelites waited in expectation, hanging on to the belief that their Messiah was coming to save and deliver them. Foreign enemies conquered God’s people throughout history. Oppression from the enemy held them captive. Sin separated humanity from true intimacy with Yahweh so blood sacrifices had to suffice to pay the penalty for their wrongdoings. They waited and waited with longing and expectation that one day soon He would come. Finally, during Roman oppression, He came. Dependent, helpless, fragile, in the form of an infant, He came. It wasn’t what that generation was expecting. He didn’t look like the hope they had been crying out for, but Mary knew she held the Savior of the world in her arms. Her heart was full of hope. Our long-awaited Messiah had finally come.
Our hope is in the person of Jesus—the God of all hope. He has made His home inside of us, changing the trajectory of our perspectives and our eternities forever.
Hope is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a person or thing that may help or save someone; grounds for believing that something good may happen.” The Greek word for hope, elpis, indicates the expectation of good and the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.
The Present Reality of Hope
Our Messiah came, and we received His salvation. Jesus became our Savior, and all of Scripture speaks to this expectation of Him making all things new as we walk with Him. His Word and Spirit counsels, comforts, and course-corrects His people. The brokenhearted are healed in His presence. He is in the midst of those who grieve. He is true to every promise, and He holds all things together. Without the firm grasp of hope on the heart of a believer, we struggle, stray, and doubt. But His salvation was not only a finished work; it was a sanctifying work of faith from which He teaches us to live. There is purpose in the pain and redemption in the suffering. The belief in the fullness of Christ to overflow in the life of the believer is our anchor of hope because He has held all things together for those who love Him and know Him. Hope lives in us in the person of Jesus.
Hope anticipates with expectation that who we believe is true, and He is profoundly at work.
Jesus is continually at work behind the scenes. He has not disappeared, turned a blind eye or deaf ear, or silenced His voice. His blood speaks a better word. His love compels Him to go to us in our sin and suffering. If He works all things together for our good and holds us together for His purposes, we have to believe that what is ahead will be for our good and His glory. Hope is not found in the change of leadership over a country, nor is it found in legislation that aligns with biblical principles, although I pray for that. Hope is not found in a booming economy or a winning lottery ticket. Hope that is unwavering is found in a Savior whose purposes far exceed our temporary and momentary struggles. This is where we focus our expectation—in His work that He is intimately and ultimately accomplishing.
The Holy Spirit is the One who causes us to overflow with expectation.
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” -Titus 2:13-14 (ESV)
One day, an appointed generation will see the second coming of their King Jesus. I pray that is our blessed generation! We wait for that day with the grace and mercy He extends to us in order to make it to the finish line. Daily, we live dependent on the Holy Spirit to keep us running this race marked out before us with perseverance. Hope will not disappoint those of us who are in Christ Jesus. The wicked will never experience hope unless we take Him to them (Proverbs 11:23, Proverbs 24:20)!
If you have hope living inside of you by His Spirit, then you have the words of life and expectation to take to people. You have an anchor for your soul that those without Jesus have never experienced. That is why it is crucial that we are not only the most demonstratively hopeful people but that we share these words of hope! When I would go from village to village in the mountains of South Asia, I would tell people, “I have come all this way to bring you a message of hope.” Their eyes would widen, and they would long to hear my words. People are dying for hope, and He wants to save and deliver them too. My challenge to you this week is to be the most hopeful Christ follower this Christmas season!
Receive Your Gift
Has your heart been longing for fresh hope in the midst of watching chaos spin out of control around you? Open your hands to receive a fresh infilling of hope.
Lord Jesus, would You supernaturally fill my brother or sister today with hope—with a sudden expectation of knowing You are at work? Will You give them trust in Your love and sovereignty—that You hold all things together? Cause this one to overflow in the power of the Spirit and be immovable in hope this Christmas. May they bring a word of hope or even this song to one who needs to know God is for them and He’s not let go!
Christmas Around the World: Iran
“The Iranian government is among the most oppressive regimes in the world. It is illegal to leave Islam, and Christians face the constant threat of imprisonment and being falsely charged with ‘acting against national security’ for owning Bibles or even talking about Christ. Christians are routinely fired from their jobs, and it is difficult for a known believer to find a job or rent a home. Many Christians gather in covert fellowships and receive teaching through Christian media smuggled into the country and through broadcast media. Several Christians are currently imprisoned, and many others are under house arrest awaiting sentencing.” –Voice of the Martyrs
Pray for supernatural boldness and protection for believers so that the gospel can continue to sweep the nation of Iran from the streets to the prisons, in Jesus’ name!
Give a Gift This Christmas
Arise is seeking to raise $50,000 this Christmas in order to launch five new cities in 2023. We are just $12,500 away from reaching our goal. Sow a seed into this movement of mobilizing and equipping women to be a powerful force for the Kingdom of God!
