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Read: Psalm 130
…in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5
We are in the season of hope. The TV and newspaper ads challenge us to hope for “stuff” as we think about Christmas. The Christian calendar names the first week of Advent as “Hope.” So what are we hoping for?
Ask a child what she hopes to get for Christmas and she will quickly enumerate a list of toys and games. Ask a teenager what he hopes to get for Christmas and the price tag climbs. Ask the parents what they hope for Christmas and their list may include non-tangible items like harmony and peace and love. Ask them what they hope for Advent and you make get a puzzled look.
Old Testament Israel had hopes too. They longed for a word from the Lord and the Prophet Isaiah was chosen to give that word. “The Lord himself will give you a sign…” (Isaiah 7:14) He further told them, “For to us a child is born,…he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
We too long for a word from the Lord in this uncertain time when much is made of personal freedoms to the demise of communal responsibilities. We can turn to scripture to find words to encourage us to action and expectation.
Because faith is an action word, scripture challenges us to do more than just read and meditate. It is possible to find hope for today in God’s word, but those words are also a challenge to action.
- Love your neighbor. (Matthew 19:19) Do you know your neighbor, even the ones not living next door? How can you show them love?
- Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers… (Hebrews 13:1) Strangers live in our communities. Their language and customs are different. How can you welcome them and help them to feel at home?
We have received the same word which Isaiah spoke. In this Season of Advent, may we be challenged not only to read God’s Word, but let this Word challenge us to action. On what is your hope built - stuff or action?
~Dave Long
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