Today’s Devotional is offered by Steve Timberlake.

Psalm 13.1, 5
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
…But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Can you imagine how the Israelites felt when they were taken from their homes and loved ones to become captives in a foreign land? Without hope comes to mind. How they must have wished they had listened and followed the call of the prophets as they longed for restoration and a vision of new hope. It is such a horrible feeling to be without hope.

In our difficult times, as we reach for help and answers, hope is the one thing we have to cling to, though sometimes difficult to find. Perhaps that was one of the reasons God came to live with us through His son Jesus…hope and salvation. He came to live and walk with us. He lived to carry the burden of our sins to the cross even to death. And then, he died to rise again in victory. All of this was for you and me…so that we might live with hope.

Here we are in the season of Advent. I try to be careful not to think “here we go again.” In the busine$$ of Christmas, we wait and expect numerous things to take place. The arrival of friends and family, special treats from the kitchen, maybe a gift or two…all of this is good! But this advent, let’s take time and prepare Him room in our hearts, our lives and activities. As we prepare to receive, may we prepare to give in the hope of a new advent. So sweet to celebrate His first coming, how wonderful to know the promise and hope of His second coming.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your gift of Jesus. May we all make room in our hearts as we celebrate and welcome His coming with the hope of a new advent. Amen