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I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18
When we enter mindset of hopelessness, it’s hard to see things clearly. It can be like a dark cloud surrounds us. We tend to see the problems, not possibilities. We see obstacles, not opportunities.
Hopelessness can be physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausting. When we get tired it’s easy t to forget who we are or more importantly, whose we are. Feelings of hopelessness are not only be exhausting, they can be debilitating. We not only forget whose we are, we forget the resources available to us.
In one of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians (and us) he prays that we, in the midst of our darkness, will see the light of hope we have through Jesus. Hope is future looking, not tied to the past. Hope is revealing. It shows that as bad as things may be now, we have a bright future.
Hope is vertical looking, not horizontal. It looks above your situation. Hope is eternal and thus, not affected by current circumstances. The God of hope has called you to a life of hope based on His riches in glory.
Don’t allow the darkness of hopelessness keep you from seeing the light of Jesus this Christmas.
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalms 31:24
What we anchor our hope in determines the level of strength and courage we can draw from. Some place their hope in relationships, but relationships are fickle and can change with time. No one walks the wedding aisle with the idea that they will give this marriage thing a few months and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll move on. Of course not! One walks the aisle and vows to love until death. Yet, over 50% of the time, divorce happens.
Others may put their hope in money and career. But when recession hits, or your company downsizes, you find out quickly that hope in money and things isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Some put their hope in physical health. They eat right, exercise regularly, and do all the right things to be healthy. But we all know very healthy people who succumb to terminal illness, accidents and the like.
Courage and strength come when we put our hope in something that lasts. The Psalmist tells us courage and strength come when our hope is put in God through Jesus Christ. He’s never failed and he never will.
This holiday season, what is your hope anchored in?
Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Isaiah 40:3
It’s the holiday season and many of us have been busy getting ready for parties, family get-togethers and perhaps even travel. Maybe you’ve decorated the yard with lights and decorations tied to the season. The tree is up and decorated, waiting for brightly wrapped packages. The interior of your house may have decorations to celebrate the season as well.
After all, it’s Christmas! We spend millions of dollars every year with decorations, food and gifts. Some neighborhood’s have contests (official or unspoken) to see who has the best light display. I love Christmas! All the work we put into decorating for a few short weeks is well worth it in my book.
While preparing all the external things for Christmas is important, of more importance is preparing our hearts. No doubt Mary and Joseph prepared for the coming of the infant Jesus as much as they could. But they could never have been ready for what God had prepared for them. I’m sure if they’d known everything they’d have done things differently.
What about us? We have the privilege of looking back. Can we prepare spiritually for celebrating Messiah? Among the lights and decorations can we find time to focus on the light of the world? While we enjoy all the holiday treats, can we remember to celebrate the eternal blessings of the babe in the manger?
Isaiah reminds us to prepare the way for Lord. He calls us to search our hearts for what we feel is important. He calls us to remove the idols of worry, doubt, desire and bitterness so we can experience the Hope of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Whether your tradition celebrates Advent or not, while you are hanging the lights and cooking all those Christmas goodies, don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalms 131:2
Have you ever noticed how a baby laughing can charge a whole room with smiles and warmth? Have you seen anything more peaceful than an infant sleeping? And let’s be honest, is there any noise more annoying than an infant crying? Especially when that infant is hungry?
One would think the world was coming to an end! Few things (nothing?) will calm an infant if their mind is set on food.
Psalm 131 is a song the Israelites would sing on the long, sometimes treacherous path to worship in Jerusalem. Verse one is about humility, about not concerning oneself with things not understood and not seen.
Verse two is about contentment. One time, at a college basketball game I observed an infant sleeping in her car seat. The game was close. The crowd was loud. The little girl slept peacefully in the midst of, and unaffected by the noise and chaos. That is contentment.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do that? Rest peacefully among the chaos, fear and noise of our world around us? We can you know. Jesus promises us a peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us that even though there will be turmoil, he is the author and sustainer of contentment and peace.
You know Jesus, right? The guy that slept in a boat that was breaking apart because of an angry sea? Let your heart rest in the comfort of knowing his love and protection over your life in spite of the chaos around you.
Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day. Psalms 61:8
Music has the amazing way to both express our moods and change our moods. Have you ever noticed that? How many songs have been written due to grief or broken relationships or shattered dreams. If the performer does the song well, you can feel your heart melt along with theirs over whatever tragedy the message sends.
On the other hand, a song that expresses joy can make your heart sing as well. I remember back when I was young, when my favorite song came on the car radio in the summer, the windows went down and the volume went up!
David begins this Psalm (song) in dire straights we know little about. All we know for sure is that he’s struggling. But as his song moves on there is a gradual progression from distress to praise; from fear to courage; from questioning God to worshipping God.
What was the difference? We don’t know for sure but I’m convinced his physical situation hadn’t changed. What changed was his heart. His focus turned from his problems to his God.
How is the condition of your heart today? The mind plays amazing games with us. The songs you listen to have a profound and secret affect on your mindset.
So when you are unsure if God hears your prayers, if you are struggling with the news and events around you let me suggest you listen to some good praise music. Allow the words of praise music to permeate your mind, work to change your mood and turn your focus towards the promises of our almighty, loving and never failing Father God. His music will do your heart good!
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 