Hope for a troubled world

Published 9:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2023

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Freda Reynolds 

The Advent season begins on the first Sunday of December. The term Advent is defined by Oxford Languages as “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. In Latin, the word “Advent” means “coming.” 

The most notable person in history is Jesus Christ. He was placed in a manger, a sheep manger. Below is a link that gives us a possible view of His birthplace according to research: 

Email newsletter signup

https://fotet.org/migdal-edar-the-true-story-behind-the-birthplace-of-jesus/ 

Jesus is the hope of the world. That is why we celebrate His coming at Christmas. 

In studying some scriptures for this first week of Advent, I found the following scriptures to ponder. I hope you find them helpful as you meditate on them. 

  1. Romans 15:4: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 
  2. Romans 15:13: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” 
  3. Psalm 119:114: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. 
  4. I Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 
  5. I Peter 1:13: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
  6. 2 Corinthians 2:9: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight in glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient (passing away), but the things that are unseen are eternal. 
  7. Titus 2:13 (we are eagerly) “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” 

It is my prayer that as we think about the hope we have in this troubled world, these verses will encourage and strengthen you.