Advent 2020 | HOPE

“Hope, as it is presented to us in Scripture, is the anchor for the soul. It is not primarily rooted in the events of the future —the promises of God as they unfold— although of course it encapsulates that also. Hope is rather anchored in the person who holds the future, and by his word and power, upholds and guarantees it.”

HOPE, FAITH, JOY, PEACE, LIGHT: A Special RZIM Advent Devotional, pp. 5-6

As the Season of Arrival begins, so the year of 2020 ends. For every year following the Fall of Mankind, creation groans to see the renewal of all things and the righteous reign of the coming King. This is the recurring theme of Advent: awaiting the Promise to its full. From the nation of Israel to the kingdoms of the world, God promises a Gift like none other. The prophet Jeremiah describes Him as a Righteous Branch from King David’s lineage, and He will execute justice and righteousness in the land (Jeremiah 33:14-15). God promises to fulfill His word and will do it. Those who read these Scriptures and place their faith in God’s goodness, await the sure fulfillment of what is guaranteed.

Jeremiah’s nation hears these words on the brink of their annihilation. Jeremiah the Prophet lives through Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 B.C. and recounts his lament over the loss of the Holy City in the Book of Lamentations. He is known as “the weeping prophet” ever since. Israel’s own trail of tears is their eastward slave-march towards the great city of Babylon under the conquering rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. Surely they are despondent over sin and national failure with no hope to return or worship the Lord in His holy temple ever again.

YAHWEH declares: The days are coming when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a Righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; He will do what is just and right in the land!

Jeremiah 33:14-15

At this paramount time in Israeli history, again God reveals His plan to redeem His people. And again He promises to do so through King David’s lineage. HOPE is reborn in the hearts of the faithful even as cries of the captives are heard throughout Jerusalem.

As we begin the Season of Advent, we first consider the Person of our hope. Though cities fall (and coronavirus cases rise) the Lord Jesus remains our everlasting hope in life and in death. He is the Promise fulfilled through the lineage of King David. He is the Righteous Branch who brings justice to our world through the reconciliation of His people. He is the One to whom we look in times of need because we trust His goodness, knowing that by His Providence will bring to completion our sanctification through every circumstance. He is the One who will return in glory to establish His perfect Kingdom wherein righteousness dwells and we will forever be with the Lord.

May Advent be the Season we lift our eyes from earthly woes, renewing our hope anchored in the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.