by Desiree Bustamante

Our hope is in the promised Savior.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I see him, but not here and now.
     I perceive him, but far in the distant future.
A star will rise from Jacob;
    a scepter will emerge from Israel.”
Numbers 24:17-20 New Living Translation

Have you ever waited a very long time for something? Maybe you waited for the start of a special vacation, for healing to begin after surgery or illness, or for your birthday or Christmas to finally arrive. No matter how long you waited, it probably felt like it would never happen. Waiting can seem like an endless winter bereft of hope.

God promised Israel that He would send a king to come and save them. That promise was passed from generation to generation as they anticipated His arrival. They waited centuries before the birth of Christ took place. I‘m sure some lost hope while they waited for His coming. But Israel’s hopes were finally fulfilled when the promised Savior was born.

This week in Advent we reflect on the hope of Christ’s coming. Although we did not have to wait for the promise of a King to deliver us, we now wait for the promise that our Savior will return and take us to live with Him eternally in heaven.

Our hope is never in vain as we wait for our precious Savior. Maybe you’ve been praying for someone who is lost, for Christ to rescue you from some overwhelming issue or for the fulfillment of His plans for your life. Whether your wait will be long or short, have faith in His promises and continue to put your hope in the Lord!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 New International Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado