MONDAY, December 3
Hope has a Name
Have you ever thought that our soul needs an anchor? The Bible describes our soul as the real us – the place where our thoughts, emotions, and desires originate.
And, that’s the place that needs an anchor the most (something that fastens all of our thoughts, emotions, and desires to the right place). If not, our thoughts can run rampant, our emotions can become influenced by things that are harmful, and our desires can chase what we want instead of what God wants. So, what holds all this to the right place?
The bible tells us in Hebrews 6:19 that “we have this hope as an anchor for our soul.”
That’s the answer: HOPE! Hope reminds us what to think and how to feel; hope points toward the things we must desire. God’s Word tells us that hope is a strong assurance when things are not clear.
When the birth of Jesus was first announced, the world was a place where God seemed silent, where darkness seemed to be the only reality, and where religion seemed cold and meaningless. In that desperate moment, hope came through. In Matthew 1:21, we are given the greatest hope ever:
“Mary will give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means, God with us.”
What would life be like if the reality of this hope controlled our thoughts, emotions, and desires? If we truly hoped in Jesus, this hope would point our thoughts to God’s promises that are fulfilled in Christ. If we truly hoped in Jesus, this hope would channel our emotions toward a dependence upon God to heal hurts caused by others. If we truly hoped in Jesus, this hope would create within us a desire to know more of the deep and abiding love and grace of God every single day. This is the greatest hope; this is the only true hope.
As Joseph and Mary were astonished and amazed at the announcement of Christ’s birth, lets live astonished at this incredible hope we have today. When life seems unclear to us, when we do not know exactly what lies ahead, or when we feel alone, afraid, scared, or insecure, we have a HOPE. His name is Jesus. Aren’t you glad “HOPE HAS A NAME?”
Read: Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:3-5