"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." - Romans 15:13
Since the Garden of Eden with its promise of a Savior (the seed of the woman-Genesis 3:15) mankind looked for salvation. Prophets of old gave insights, brush strokes to the painting of the Savior. The hope of salvation sprang afresh in their hearts.
Numbers 24:17 foretold the Star, Micah 5:2 foretold the town of Bethlehem, Jeremiah 31:15 foretold the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem, and Hosea 11: foretold his sojourn in Egypt.
The song “Whispering Hope” (Septimus Winner - 1868) speaks of this hope as an “anchor so steadfast” which “rends the dark veil for the soul.” Hope brings light to illuminate this present darkness from eternity. Hope does not make us ashamed (Romans 5:5).
Hope is much more than the hazy aspiration expressed by Helen Hunt (as Carol) to Jack Nicholson (as Melvin Udall) in As Good As It Gets “I hope, I hope, I hope” (she “hoped” he had been taking his “pills”). Hope in the Bible exudes certainty. A fleeting dream becomes a detailed vision when seen with eyes of faith.
Celebrating the hope of the first coming finds resonance in the hope of the Savior’s return. Not as a child or a suffering servant, but as King of kings and Lord of lords; the world ruler bringing peace and prosperity where the lamb lies next to the lion without fear.
Hope finds expression in faith. Abraham (Romans 4:18) hoped against hope to become the father of many nations. He knew God’s promise. He knew the reality of his old-man body and his wife’s old, dead womb. In spite of knowing these physical realities, he hoped in the God-given promise and became the father of many nations. He hoped when worldly hope dissolved.
Edward Mote wrote about this hope in “The Solid Rock”-
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Blood and righteousness
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.
In Luke 18:8, Christ questioned, “When the Son of Man comes shall he find faith on the earth?” Will there still be those who trust in God’s eternal promise of resurrection, his return and the millennial kingdom?
As we wait in joyful hope to recall the first coming of Christ as child in a manger, let our hearts be roused to hope for his second appearing. Let us look for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
