Hope in a Promise
December 3: Isaiah 9:1-7
Like any teenager, I was hoping for a car when I turned 16. I was older than most students in my class, so I would be one of the first students in my class that was able to drive themselves to school. For what felt like eternity, I waited and hinted at my desire (or what I thought was a need) for a car. Then came the day that Pop showed up with a 1979 Ford Mustang. He told me it was a 5.0 (I quickly found out that meant it was fast) and I could choose the new paint color because it would be mine.
Israel was promised a new light, a light that would push back the darkness of the world. They were promised through Isaiah a child that would be born; “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Most importantly, the Promised One would reign on David’s throne. My desire for a car could not have compared to the excitement and longing to see the fulfillment of the promise God was making through Isaiah. I found fulfilment in my hope for a car in a span of a few years, but the promised Messiah would not come to earth for about 700 years after Isaiah spoke. 700 years is a long time to hope and wait for God to fulfill the promise, but at Advent, we celebrate the fulfilment of the promise in the form of a Baby in a Manger.
What are you hoping for from God? Sometimes we become disappointed because we feel like God has abandoned us, but if Advent teaches us anything, we learn that God is faithful and keeps promises. Seek God and find your hope in the Messiah this Advent Season.
Lord God, help me to find my hope in you this Advent Season and share that hope with those living in darkness. Amen
December 3: Isaiah 9:1-7
Like any teenager, I was hoping for a car when I turned 16. I was older than most students in my class, so I would be one of the first students in my class that was able to drive themselves to school. For what felt like eternity, I waited and hinted at my desire (or what I thought was a need) for a car. Then came the day that Pop showed up with a 1979 Ford Mustang. He told me it was a 5.0 (I quickly found out that meant it was fast) and I could choose the new paint color because it would be mine.
Israel was promised a new light, a light that would push back the darkness of the world. They were promised through Isaiah a child that would be born; “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Most importantly, the Promised One would reign on David’s throne. My desire for a car could not have compared to the excitement and longing to see the fulfillment of the promise God was making through Isaiah. I found fulfilment in my hope for a car in a span of a few years, but the promised Messiah would not come to earth for about 700 years after Isaiah spoke. 700 years is a long time to hope and wait for God to fulfill the promise, but at Advent, we celebrate the fulfilment of the promise in the form of a Baby in a Manger.
What are you hoping for from God? Sometimes we become disappointed because we feel like God has abandoned us, but if Advent teaches us anything, we learn that God is faithful and keeps promises. Seek God and find your hope in the Messiah this Advent Season.
Lord God, help me to find my hope in you this Advent Season and share that hope with those living in darkness. Amen