When we look at the events of our day it is easy to become discouraged and to lose all sense of hope. We read of ministers who have blown the trust of those they are supposed to lead by choosing to fulfill the desires of the flesh instead of following the will of God. We read of political leaders who are willing to sell out their constituents for power and personal gain. We read of parents who have abused their sacred trust by abusing the children that God has blessed them with. The list could go on and on.
But it is the Christmas story that reminds us that in the midst of the darkness we have an abiding hope. The Bible tells us in Luke 1:26–38 (ESV) -- "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her."
Gabriel comes to Mary and proposes to her that an impossible thing is about to happen, a virgin will conceive and bear a son. What a hopeless situation! An impossible scenario to say the least! And yet, it is into this hopeless situation that we read that nothing is impossible with God.
Regardless of the failures of those that surround us, our hope is not found in people or in our circumstances. Our hope is found in the God who does the impossible.
So when we hear of doom and gloom and the circumstances of our lives seem to be out of control, let us . . .
- Stand firm in your faith
- Stop worrying about things that you cannot control
- Start proclaiming the goodness of God
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