Posts Tagged ‘ Hope ’

Preparing Your Heart – The First Week of Advent 2019

This originally posted five years ago (and then again two years ago with the longer ending found here) but sometimes it is good remembering some things!
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It is the first week of Advent!
Advent is a time to remember our Lord’s first coming as we look forward to His imminent return.

So, let us prepare hearts for encountering the Lord!

“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.”
Job 11:13-20, ESV

In the passage today, Job’s friend Zophar is offering his friendly advice. May we remember that the only way these words are true is if we turn to the Lord and let Him make us clean and righteous!

Wait for the Lord;
     be strong, and let your heart take courage;
     wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

Preparing our hearts requires waiting patiently for God. We cannot hurry Him.

Patience leads to peace, because we have a hope found only in God as revealed in Christ and through Scripture.

Then we can more fully turn to Him!

VerseD: Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, ESV

Faith is not blind trust. Faith is based on trust in what we have come to know guiding our beliefs.

Because Christ is risen, we have faith in eternal life and His imminent return.

VerseD: Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7, ESV

God knows who truly seeks Him.

He protects His own.

Ultimately, He has saved us from everlasting death.

VerseD: Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Proverbs 12:25, ESV

Everything feels worse, heavier, sadder – or completely dull – when anxiety weighs on you.

Encourage each other. Especially with the hope of Christ.

VerseD: 1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV

Life in this world is hard.

Only by God’s strength and wisdom, as we seek and live in His presence, can we live in peace and know where we will spend eternity.

VerseD: Romans 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:17, ESV

The Gospel reveals God’s love for us and our need for Him, and it gives us the hope and faith that His promises are true.

VerseD: Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV

On Christ the solid rock I stand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

Only in Him do we find salvation, hope, peace, and strength.

VerseD: 1 Peter 1:24-25

for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24‭-‬25, ESV

The Word (Bible) tells us we are all destined for destruction, unless we follow and believe the Eternal Word (Christ) has shed His blood on our behalf and rose to life again to give us hope of eternal life.

VerseD: Jude 1:20-21

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Jude 1:20‭-‬21, ESV

We were saved at the cross. Yet, we await the full salvation of our bodies and minds at Christ’s return. That mercy – the removal of all taint of sin from Creation – demonstrated in His love, will be like waking from a dream, even a nightmare, into glorious life.

VerseD: Romans 15:13

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.
Romans 15:13, ESV

Our faith is not blind but is also a gift from God. Ask Him to grant you the joy and peace that comes from the hope we have in Christ.