Can you feel the excitement in the air? Christmas is drawing near. Thanks for continuing to read these brief Advent thoughts on HOPE.
Most of us look forward to a feast at Christmas. This year, due to COVID, things will be different from other times in the past. Some relatives have moved on, to celebrate the holiday in heaven. Others live out of state and cannot visit this year. But many of us will still enjoy eating a holiday ham with all the trimmings on the table before us.
What feeds hope? We asked that question yesterday and found one answer lies in studying promises in scripture. But scripture was written long ago. Is God still active? Psalm 78:7 hints at another source that feeds our hope: “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” Remembering what God has done in our own lives, in our generation, also encourages hope for future.
Jeremiah 29:11,12 assures us that he continues his work today: “I know the plans I have for you – says the Lord – They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
Think back on the past year. Can you remember a specific example of a time when you prayed and God shed some extraordinary blessing on your life? Did it make your hope stronger? Why not take time to write him a brief thank-you note? And don’t forget to thank him for listening!
