We Hope In Him!

December 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

We Hope In Him!

“Hope” is one of the words we see during this time of year, for it is attached to some Christmas decorations and holiday greetings. Real hope is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not acquired by individual accomplishments, community improvements or world peace. Hope is realized only through a personal relationship with the Son of God, who was sent here by the Father “as Savior of the world” (1 Jn. 4:14 NKJV ).

In Scripture, faith – the faith in Christ alone – is intimately tied with hope (Heb. 11:1). Faith is required to have real hope, for this is built on the One who is greater than the universe itself. God, by the Son, created “all things ... that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible ... All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col 1:16-17). Nothing can overpower or overwhelm Him – not the Devil, evil or even our sin.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he said the name of the Son to be born to Mary would be “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21). The work for this was done on the cross of Calvary, Jesus declaring there that “it is finished!” (Jn. 19:30).

Have you accepted the gift of salvation which the Lord Jesus has prepared for you? It can only be received through faith. You need to “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead” (Rom. 10:9).

All of us who have put our trust in the Lord Jesus have hope. Jesus the Son of God is on the throne of grace helping us in our weaknesses and needs (Heb. 4:16). He, like us, is waiting for that moment when we will be with Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming for us – an aspect of our blessed hope about which the Feature articles this month speak. As we wait for His coming, we are reminded that our hope is not in the event but in the person. We hope in Him!

As we end this difficult and trying year, let us say anew, like the hymn writer Edward Mote (1797–1874):

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

By Paul Alberts