I posted the following article in November 2020, but it seems even more timely today. The days have grown darker, hearts have grown colder, and the depths of despair have become deeper. Grief has now become overwhelming grief, and hope seems ever more unattainable. Loss has been magnified, and the tears flow more often and more abundantly. And ever more frequently, the Light of the World is being obscured and forgotten. I am going to ask you to find the Light, either again or for the very first time. Join me in looking at the Light of the World, the hope of all nations.

(Repost)

The Advent of Hope

Walking through a dark and evil world can leave us with deep pain and an abundance of tears.  We lose, and we grieve.  We wander, and we mourn.  We look down, and then we look in.  We forget about the light.  We find ourselves in a state of hopelessness.

But Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who walks in darkness and has no light?  Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.”¹  So, if we look up to see the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, shining all around us, that hope will raise us up.  The truth of His hope will enable us to keep moving forward.  His power will enable us to walk and love again.  Joy will flood the empty spaces of our beings.  The pain will be touched by supernatural comfort. The mourning heart will sing again.

Just as the sun always shines even though we can’t see it, God’s hands and heart are outstretched for us to see by faith.  God is good, sovereign, and omnipotent.  He makes a way out of no way. He provides for every need.  He keeps every promise. 

The first week of the Advent season, we celebrate hope.²  Many waited for hope to come to the world, and it finally came.  Its name was Jesus. 

Jesus gave His life on the cross to give eternal hope through salvation.  What a precious gift!  And then, He left for a while to prepare a place for those who would believe in Him.  And one day, Hope will return to the world.  He will come again.  He will take all who believe to their eternal home.  Have you accepted His gift of hope?  Are you ready for His second advent? 

This is the truth of hope.  Hope has come.  And Hope is coming back.

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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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NOTES

¹ Taken from Isaiah 50:10.

² The topic of hope may be celebrated during a different week of the Advent season depending upon which format is being followed.

Scriptures taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible, ©1982 by Thomas Nelson.

©Original text and photo Francee Strain, November 29, 2020. Revised and additional text Francee Strain, December 4, 2021.