Greetings to you – child of the Creator – in the beautiful, wonderful, and powerful name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Wow! what an absolutely beautiful November day – sunshine, a warm autumn breeze, blue skies! I know this is the day that the Lord has made and I know that God is good all the time…but, somedays He is better! I trust that you had a good weekend and sensed God’s presence close to you, even when you were feeling a little bruised and battered by life’s realities. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to come alongside you with an extra measure of strength and joy and peace and healing…may He simply “touch” you today ina way that you will understad.
Yesterday was our prayer gathering for our community and we usually begin early with a worship time…even if we must follow the guidelines for “safe” expression in worship. I used a new worship song…actually a “Christmas” song. I think I mentioned it last week, called “The Hope of Christmas” – and it was ‘good’ to be reminded that Jesus is still the “hope of Christmas”…and every day for that matter! So this morning I was surprised to see another new Christmas album appear and it is called – “Hope Has A Name” and every song revolves around the theme of hope.
I suppose I pay attention to any song or devotional or ‘post’ that uses the name “hope”, because of our church name. However, I am paying a little more attention because I believe we need a lot of “hope” at this time. I appreciate God’ Word that makes this bold declaration: …we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. – Hebrews 6:18b-20a NIV or …we who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us…The Message.
We who are Christ-followers and believers in God have every reason to possess hope in the ‘unprecedented’, unpredictable, and unstable times that surround us. “Hope”, at least Christian hope is not an ‘iffy’ commodity but it is solid, dependable, and anchored in the “Rock of Ages”. Maybe we need a library of songs to share at Christmas or any day when we get a little weary that highlight the importance of “HOPE”!
Something to think about today…be blessed!