Advent Sunday: December 3rd 2023.
What are some of the things that make you happy as Christmas approaches? Putting up the Christmas tree, decorating, watching Christmas commercials on TV, hearing Christmas songs played in stores, eagerly awaiting Christmas presents, and many other activities. The Christmas season is always full of messages of expectation, excitement, hope, and joy. Many individuals, however, associate Christmas with sadness and sorrow. The feeling of hopelessness may come from global concerns such as wars, climate change, poverty, diseases, economic crises, or personal events such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job/business, or family problems. Hopelessness is the belief that nothing can or will change. Hopelessness gives the impression that there is no solution to my situation. There is no more hope for me. Hopelessness has been linked to an increased risk of depression, adjustment disorders, and other mental health problems.
We are all born into a sin-damaged world, and there is no other source of hope. We cannot save ourselves from our sins. It appears that reconciliation with God is impossible, but there is hope.
Israel’s people had given up hope. In 722 BCE, the Assyrian Empire defeated and destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 587 BCE, the Babylonian Empire seized and enslaved the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. Psalm 137:1-4, “When we remembered Zion, we sat and wept by the rivers of Babylon.” We hanged our harps on the poplars because our captors requested songs; our tormentors desired joyous melodies; they said, “Sing us one of Zion’s songs!” “How can we sing the Lord’s songs in pain?” We are all born into a sin-damaged world, and there is no other source of hope. Regardless of how important education and having a sympathetic government are, neither will redeem us from our sins. We cannot save ourselves from our sins. It appears that reconciliation with God is impossible, but there is hope.
In Isaiah 40:1-2, God says, “Comfort, comfort my people, speak kindly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, her iniquity is pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her troubles.” It is important to remember that no matter what troubles/problems you are facing, God is always on your side. You can trust in Him and believe He will work in your best interests, even if it does not seem like it at the time. So do not lose hope; keep believing you will overcome your struggles. God is committed to you and will always be there for you; there is hope!
In Isaiah 41:2-4, a man comes from the east to conquer kings. Most scholars assume that God refers to a time shortly when the Babylonian captivity would end because Cyrus, King of Persia, will come and destroy the Babylonian Kingdom. To us, there is hope in sorrow, hope in illnesses, hope in disappointments, and hope in sadness. There is hope in the challenging circumstances and the bright future because Jesus, our saviour, will soon be born. He is coming to redeem us from sins and sicknesses and reconcile us with God. There is hope!
We are also encouraged that we are God’s chosen people, and God will not abandon us. We trust that Jesus is going through with us whatever we are going through.
The Advent hope is that we will prepare for Jesus’ arrival and shining in this troubled world. We are also preparing to accept Him into every aspect of our lives. There is a sense of expectation that GOD’s plans will be carried out through Jesus, bringing joy and peace to a world besieged by sickness, wars, difficulties, rage, hatred, and bitterness.
Our faith in God is stronger than our fear. Isaiah gave the Israelites hope by prophesying that they were God’s chosen servant and friend. In Isaiah 41: 9, God assures them they were chosen and will not be abandoned. We are also encouraged that we are God’s chosen people, and God will not abandon us. We trust that Jesus is going through with us whatever we are going through. The Prophet comforts Israel by assuring them that there is hope. “Fear not, for I am with you. Don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will help you and strengthen you; I will sustain you with my righteous right hand.” When we have problems, we tend to feel more afraid and discouraged, but the truth is that we are never entirely alone because God has promised to be with us always. There is hope even during disease and pain because God is with you.
Take heart, for those who oppose you, will eventually be humiliated and shamed. This is a message of hope that God will care for our enemies if we trust Him. Whether they are human or demonic, He knows how to deal with those who come against us. According to Isaiah 41:10, the Lord, our God, promised to hold us by our right hand and encourage us not to be afraid, for He is there to help us. We can see God’s hand upholding us, giving us strength to overcome our fears, doubts, and adversaries. Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm. The reference to a worm symbolizes weakness. This suggests that although Israel may be weak due to wars, the righteous hand of God will deliver them.
Similarly, we may be weak due to sickness, marital issues, health problems, job loss, or financial struggles, but there is hope! Because the Lord will sustain you with His righteous right hand. Do not fear; there is hope!
Rev Michael: December 3rd 2023