“WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD”

November 27, 2024

“THE HOPE OF ADVENT”

“Look at my servant, whom I have strengthened. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.”

Isaiah 42:1 (Read the entire chapter.)

In the past few weeks there has been many unsettling changes that have occurred in our world. From the weather, all the way to the leadership of this nation, and many other nations as well. It’s as if all hope has been lost, as we have put our trust in men. This is exactly what the Word of God has commanded us not to do. As we look at the coming weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday, I hope that we do not forget to give God thanks for what we have received thus far, as we keep our eyes open for what is on the horizon for us.

The first 4 verses of Isaiah Chapter 42 is what I will call a message of Hope. You see the book of Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah, who was sent from a loving Heavenly Father. That’s the story of Advent Hope. You see Christmas is really a season in which we celebrate the turning point in God’s plan of redemption, the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Biblical hope we’ve read of and study is closely connected with Faith (Heb. 11:1). This means that Faith treats the future as if it were already accomplished because God has promised it.

Scripture offers us an understanding that the hope we should possess is so much more than a feeling or an attitude. In trying times, Christian hope has endurance and purpose because God is the source of it. This prophecy describes God’s beloved Servant who would proclaim justice to the nations, if you read further, it tells us how. Through meekness, gentleness and kindness, This would be the kind of behavior seen in Jesus’ healings as the coming Messiah. His actions would reveal his identity. This was the first sign that “The nations will put their hope” in Him. Isaiah 9:1-7 tells us the One who would put an end to suffering, establish an eternal kingdom, and uphold it with Justice and Righteousness, will come and fulfill every prophecy written about Him. Because those assurances were proven true, we have hope.

When we say “Hope has come,” we mean first it describes the coming of Jesus as an infant born of Mary. We also mean it prophetically, for when He will come back for His people. The Hope of Advent is centered around the story and preparation of the “Second Coming” of Jesus.Therefore, as we celebrate in the coming weeks, I hope and pray we know that we can trust in Jesus’ promise to come again in Glory, while knowing that wherever He is, we will one day be also. (John 13:1-6) So remember, the Hope we have in Christ is a sure and reliable anchor for our soul. Amen.

Pastor Andrea (Rev. Andie)