Advent Week One at Roswell Community: Hope

Embracing the Advent Season
Today marks the beginning of our Advent series, a time where we reflect on the arrival—or advent—of Jesus Christ. The Advent season is unique because it places us between two realities:

1. The First Arrival: We look back with gratitude at the birth of Jesus, the promised Messiah who came to redeem us.
2. The Second Coming: We look forward with hope and anticipation for His return, when He will restore all things.
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This tension of the "already, but not yet" shapes our experience as Christians. We remember the fulfilled promises of God and eagerly await the promises yet to be fulfilled.

The Nature of Hope
It's fair to say that all of us are anticipating a future better than the present. Whether it's personal aspirations, healing from hurts, or longing for restored relationships, hope is an essential part of our human experience.

I recall a season in my own life when my wife was in nursing school, I was in seminary, and we had an 18-month-old child. We both worked full-time jobs and spent every spare moment studying or completing clinical paperwork. During that time, we longed for a day when we could simply breathe again, watch a show together, or read a good book. Our hope for a better future sustained us through those challenging days.

Biblical Hope vs. Worldly Hope
Worldly hope often resembles wishful thinking or optimism about the future. However, biblical hope is rooted in the unchanging character of God. It's not merely a desire for something good to happen; it's a confident expectation based on God's promises.

The Waiting People of God
From the earliest times, God's people have been characterized by waiting and hope. In Genesis 3:15, after the fall of man, God promised that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent's head—a prophecy pointing to Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David all waited in hopeful anticipation for God's promises to be fulfilled.

Isaiah's Prophecy
In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet delivers a message of hope to King Ahaz:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

This prophecy was a beacon of hope pointing to the coming Messiah, God with us.

Trusting God in the Darkness

A Question for Reflection
What anchors you to hope when your future seems dark? In times of crisis, our true sources of trust are revealed. King Ahaz, faced with the threat of invasion, chose to rely on his own plans rather than trust in God's promise of deliverance.

God's Faithfulness Despite Our Doubt
Even when Ahaz refused to trust Him, God provided a sign—the promise of Immanuel. This act demonstrates that God's faithfulness doesn't depend on our faithfulness. He remains true to His promises, offering hope even when we falter.

Living in Hope Today
We are invited to anchor our hope in God, who has a proven track record of keeping His promises. Unlike worldly hope, which can disappoint, biblical hope is a living hope because it is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3).

Romans 15:13 Encouragement
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

God is both the source and supplier of hope. Through the Holy Spirit, we can experience an abundance of hope that transcends our circumstances.

The Advent of Hope
As we journey through this Advent season, let's remember that:

• God Came for Us: The incarnation is the ultimate expression of God's love and the foundation of our hope.
• God Is with Us Now: Immanuel means "God with us." He is present in every moment, sharing in our joys and sorrows.
• God Will Come Again: We look forward to the second advent when Jesus will return in glory, fulfilling all promises and restoring all things.
  
  

A Call to Anchor Our Hope
Let us confidently anchor our hope in God, knowing that He is faithful. Whatever challenges you may be facing—be it uncertainty, pain, or waiting—remember that God is with you. He invites you to trust Him, to lean on His promises, and to find peace in His presence.