“No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in your all day long.”
* Psalm 25:3-5
Advent is a time before Christmas when Christ-followers for centuries have taken time to prepare their hearts for the celebration of His coming. Some describe Advent as a time of “expectant waiting.” I love this promise in Psalm 25 that those who wait on God will not be put to shame! As I imagine back to the Israelites who read these words thousands of years ago, I am sure that they were tempted to give up hope at times. It must have felt so long, waiting generations for their Messiah to come! But then, at just the right time in history, the Savior came, in the unlikeliest of ways – a baby born in a stable. They were not put to shame and neither will we be – our hope is in the Living God! May we also be people of hope, putting our trust in the Lord when our troubles seem to close in around us and when we cannot see an answer in sight. We can be certain that God will make true his promises, at just the right time and perhaps even in the unlikeliest of ways.
Lord, please give us ears to hear and eyes to see your presence in our midst during this hectic but holy season. We look forward with anticipation to the ways that you will deliver us & continue writing your story of redemption. In this world full of evil, pain and grief, may we be people who reflect hope, for the sake of your name.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13