A Time for Hope - Advent Devotions 2019
Friday, December 20 - Lynne Neibert
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When I think of the Christmas story, my first thought is always of Mary and my favorite song, “Mary, Did You Know.” Mary calmly and faithfully accepted the responsibility of bearing the Son of God. She opened herself to God’s will and submitted to his plan for her. She was confident that God would protect and help her. She exhibited no fear or anxiety as she humbly carried and cared for God’s only Son, destined to save us all.
Oh, that we all, myself included, would accept and be open to God’s plan for our lives, just as Mary was. We have a tendency to think that we have a better plan or God is not acting quickly enough, so we take matters into our own hands. Because we are not willing to follow God’s path for us, we often experience fear and anxiety.
Mary’s response to God’s request gives all believers HOPE – that by saying yes to God, we are part of the Christian story and we can find true meaning in our lives that will sustains us. We can live in faith, love, and hope because of Jesus’ birth and death for our sin.
Dear Lord, Give us all the courage to accept your plan for our lives with the confidence and the hope that dispels all fears and removes all anxiety, so that we may serve you. Amen.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When I think of the Christmas story, my first thought is always of Mary and my favorite song, “Mary, Did You Know.” Mary calmly and faithfully accepted the responsibility of bearing the Son of God. She opened herself to God’s will and submitted to his plan for her. She was confident that God would protect and help her. She exhibited no fear or anxiety as she humbly carried and cared for God’s only Son, destined to save us all.
Oh, that we all, myself included, would accept and be open to God’s plan for our lives, just as Mary was. We have a tendency to think that we have a better plan or God is not acting quickly enough, so we take matters into our own hands. Because we are not willing to follow God’s path for us, we often experience fear and anxiety.
Mary’s response to God’s request gives all believers HOPE – that by saying yes to God, we are part of the Christian story and we can find true meaning in our lives that will sustains us. We can live in faith, love, and hope because of Jesus’ birth and death for our sin.
Dear Lord, Give us all the courage to accept your plan for our lives with the confidence and the hope that dispels all fears and removes all anxiety, so that we may serve you. Amen.