Hope Requires Faith
Advent Week One, Day Four
Romans 8:18-25

Focus: “…hope that is seen is not hope…”

A popular book, titled Your Best Life Now, has confused a lot of people on the topic of hope. Obviously, during this Advent season, as we celebrate with anticipation the birth of Jesus, our focus should be on the hope God provides. But let’s be sure our hope is rightly placed! When it comes to hope, the apostle Paul knew this: as children of God, our best life isn’t now, but then, in eternal glory.

Paul explained that as children of God we have “the first fruits of the Spirit.” In other words, our God-given faith serves as both the proof of God’s present work in our lives AND the guarantee of a better life to come.

Followers of Jesus also look forward to the beginning of a new life when our adoption into God’s family is made visible; a time when our bodies will be once and for all freed from sin’s temptations and effects. Because that’s forthcoming, we have every reason to hope. The ultimate realization of hope will be worth the wait!

Lord, help us consider our sufferings at this time in our lives as being incomparable to the hope we have through our faith in You. Grow our faith this Advent season so we will understand that our best life is not now, but then, as we patiently anticipate your return in the twilight of your birth. Amen