First Sunday of Advent: Hope

By Pastor Chad

On our first Sunday of advent, we focused on the aspect of biblical or Christian hope. Hope is a distinct trademark of the Christian faith. We have hope that nonbelievers neither have nor understand. We hope in the redemptive work of our Savior. Hope in the fullness and purpose of God’s plan. Hope in the Second Coming of our Lord. Hope in His sovereign work within human history. Hope that life is guided and meaningful because it is in the providential hands of our God. And hope that God has a plan for our lives that goes well beyond what our fleshly nature aspires. These truths give the Christian a peace of mind and a sense of purpose non-Christians do not have. Yet, hope is one of those unique qualities that is always accompanied by others. Think of hope like your extroverted friend: if he doesn’t have other people to hang out with, he isn’t himself. 

One of the most common traits that is bundled with hope is trust. Think about it: the author of Hebrews literally uses hope within the definition of faith (which can also be translated trust). It defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Thus, hope is baked into the very concept of trust. This intimate partnership between hope and trust is what gives believers in Christ a disposition that the lost do not have. We can have confidence in the plans and the work of our Lord. 

In Psalm 33:21, the psalmist declares, “For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” The psalmist writes that his heart is glad in the Lord. Why? The psalmist is glad because the Lord is trustworthy. The psalmist places his confidence in the Lord knowing that confidence is not in vain. That which the Lord wants to come about will come about. Human beings make their plans and determine their course but ultimately human plans are futile. 

We can trust in the Lord because we know that his plans will not fail. We can trust in the Lord because we know his character does not change. We can trust in the Lord because he is righteous and just. The pagan gods of the ancient near east were not known for their righteousness and justice. These pagan gods are often depicted as conniving, backstabbing, selfish, petty, and vindictive. The same cannot be said for Yahweh. Our hope in God is not a hope in an imperfect, fickle being. We trust in the Lord because we know that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good. We trust in the Lord because we know His providential will is good and will succeed in the end. 

Thus, Christian hope is a sure confidence that the Lord of all Creation will redeem me and accept me into His perfect and good Kingdom.