Held by Hope - Girlfriends in God - December 23, 2015

December 23, 2015
Held by Hope
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to witness the celestial celebration that took place in Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born? Now, I’m a bit fussy about fashion, but I’d even consider donning a shepherd’s garb and hanging out with a few sheep for that opportunity! To see angels fill the sky, to hear the voice of God through the cries of a baby. To catch a glimpse of the brilliant Star of David, and to satisfy my curiosity as to what exactly a host of heavenly angels sounds like. To soak in the amazingness of it all.

Oh, and to talk to Mary!

Wouldn’t that be incredible to hear what she was thinking as she witnessed, and took part in, the greatest miracle ever known to man? This baby she gave birth to was God-in-the-flesh…a true bundle of perfect love.

What do you think she treasured in her heart as she took it all in? I’m struck by this thought: As she held the Hope of the world, the Hope of the world was also holding her. {Mind. Blown.}

The baby born in a stable that holy night long ago is the Hope of the world - the Grace that saves us - the Love that heals us. Jesus is the Hope that changes our worthless into precious, our guilty to forgiven, our hungry into satisfied, and our empty into full. His presence is inescapable. Many dismiss Him, but the Bible assures us that we can’t get away from Him. The psalmist, David said: “If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:8-10).

The Bible also tells us in the New Testament that Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and that He “holds us fast.” Relish that thought. The Hope that holds us is Jesus Christ.

You and I are held by Hope.

In the Old Testament, God told Joshua that He would “never leave or forsake” him (Joshua 1:5). God says the same to us. He will never leave us or forsake us; no matter the circumstances, not matter the diagnoses, no matter the financial struggle. Our faithful LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can breathe deep knowing that in everything we are held by Hope. {TWEET this!}

After His resurrection and before His ascension into heaven, Jesus said, “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). My girlfriend Mary Southerland often reminds people that the word “always” actually means … drum roll please … "always!"

He is always with us.

Always loving us.

Always inviting us to find comfort, refuge, joy and satisfaction in Him.

Let’s Pray
Holy Father, Thank You for sending Jesus, my Hope, to forgive, to love, and to restore me to Your heart. I join the psalmist today in praying, “Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Uphold me, and I will be delivered” (Psalm 119:116-117a). I’m leaning into Your heavenly hug today.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Are you allowing Hope to hold you? He’s waiting with His arms open wide. Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

NEED PRAYER? Friend, I know that as sweet as Christmas is, it will be hard for many of you this year. Pain is no respecter of persons, and loneliness can find us in a crowded room. I pray that you will find comfort in knowing that God loves and sees you. My blog and Facebook page will be pages of prayer today. Join me there. We’d love to PRAY with you.

More from the Girlfriends

STRUGGLING TO TRUST HIS HOPE? Sharon, Gwen and Mary’s 12-week devotion book, Trusting God, is a great book for individual study or for gathering a group of friends in what we call GiG Groups. With impactful devotions, study questions, journal pages, free on-line video intros, and an index of trust-building Scriptures…this book is a resource you’ll refer to time-and-time again.