Advent Waiting with Hope
Thursday, December 11
Advent Waiting with Hope
The LORD says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Let’s consider some of the promises we read:
A coming child.
A light in the darkness.
A King from Judah.
A star rising.
An eternal throne.
A kingdom God Himself establishes.
What we see is this, God has been faithful across thousands of years of history, and He will be faithful in your life as well.
Faithfulness doesn’t mean that God will answer every prayer, instead it means He will be faithful in all things. . When things are going well and it seems we are getting what we desire (perhaps through answered prayers), we may be quick to acknowledge God’s goodness and faithfulness. But the real challenge to our belief in God’s faithfulness is when we continue to experience unanswered prayers and when the trials of life begin to squeeze us like a lemon in a juicer. It’s hard, it’s sour, it doesn’t feel right. Can we still say and believe that God is faithful during those seasons? We can and should.
When we consider the advent season and the coming of the promised Messiah we understand without a doubt that God has been faithful and will continue to be. God does not promise to give us everything we desire, nor is His faithfulness based on such a promise. Instead, He says that He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and He determines what is good. If we knew all that He knows, we’d trust Him fully and rest. This truth helps us to rest in the faithfulness of God even during trials.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank You for the hope You’ve given me this week. Make my heart ready to receive Your Son more fully. Strengthen my trust in every promise You’ve spoken. Amen.