May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
Losing a job, going through a divorce, facing health problems, or witnessing someone you love struggle with illness can all make you feel hopeless. When we experience traumatic events, which everyone does, it’s easy to lose sight of the hope we have in Christ. Focusing on our problems instead of on God’s presence and support can lead to despair. I’ve been there both ways: trying to handle things alone or leaning on God for help. Trust me, it’s much easier with His help! The scripture above from Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that when we lean on Him or trust Him, we will experience joy and peace. When we have joy and peace, we overflow with hope. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful Christmas gift to yourself to experience joy, peace, and hope?
We’re entering Advent, the four weeks leading up to Jesus’ arrival. In the Old Testament, Immanuel means God with us. The New Testament sees this as a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus. So, Jesus is God with us, He is our Immanuel!
How can we experience this hope and God’s presence? It starts with intentional time spent with Immanuel. A daily routine of prayer and scripture reading is a wonderful way to begin. When we draw near to Him, we will feel His joy and peace. Reading His word guides our decisions and offers words of comfort.
You may be facing something difficult right now! If that’s the case, dive into His word and spend time in prayer. It truly is the best way to get through it. If you’re not going through anything tough, celebrate God’s goodness by spending time in His presence, giving thanks for His blessings, and enjoying His word.
Prayer: Immanuel, thank you for your presence with me. I want to know You more deeply. Help me set aside time daily to be with You, and to experience joy, peace, and hope! – Amen
Susan Meharg, Executive Assistant to the Executive Team
