Advent Day Nine: If Jesus Had Not Come, We Would Have No Hope

There was a time when hopelessness did not exist in the human heart. Life was bountiful and beautiful. Their gracious King kept them safe and was their delight, reflecting His righteous reign. But they moved against Him. Thinking to give the reins to themselves, they handed them over to the evil one. Hopelessness prevailed.

What if Jesus had not come? We would be living in hopelessness with no rescue. We would be lost in the torment that relief would never come.

“…remember that you were at that time separated from Christ…

having no hope and without God in the world.”

from Ephesians 2:12

But Jesus did come!

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off

have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:13

“Oh, Holy Night” proclaims,

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices…”

No wonder the angels rejoiced when they told the shepherds the good news! Scripture declares that Jesus is our hope. It allows us to serve with boldness in this hostile world. We’re reminded to keep His truth in mind, so that hope will abound. Our hope should be continual, so that our praise grows more and more.

Psalm 62:5 leads us into our warning for the future,

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

for my hope is from him.”

Sometimes it’s tempting to put our hope in people, things, or outcomes. But hope apart from God is false hope. Psalm 33:17 says,

“The war horse is a false hope for salvation,

and by its great might it cannot rescue.”

Lord, may we know that You alone are our hope! Thank You for the hope we find in Jesus. Please cause many to look to Him and choose true hope.