A mere half-hour watching the news today can fill one with despair as we witness the effects of greed, selfishness, and depravity. It pains the heart to see the utter devastation of the downtrodden. As we take in such brokenness it can lead us to lower our weary heads and simply trudge through life one day at a time—hope for a better tomorrow diminishing with each passing moment.
The shepherds watching their flocks the night Jesus was born might have felt the same way (Luke 2:8). On the lowest rung of society, their future prospects seemed dim at best. Imagine their awe when the night sky lit up with the radiance of God’s glory! (Luke 2:14). Unable to sit still after the angel’s joyful news, they rushed to Bethlehem to see this new hope for themselves (Luke 2:10-11,15-16).
Every announcement of His arrival on earth expressed God’s intention towards mankind—peace, goodwill, and salvation (Luke 2:10-11,14). At a time when Roman oppression made the future look bleak, Jesus came forth as a shining beacon of better times ahead.
Each New Year’s Eve—no matter how rough the previous 12 months were—we dig deep down and rustle up anticipation for a new beginning. While there’s nothing wrong with hoping for a happier year, it’s much better to base our hope on the one sure foundation—Jesus.
His birth, death, and resurrection provide us with real hope—hope far greater than a fingers-crossed wish driven by the calendar.
As we make our New Year resolutions for 2017, may we forge a commitment to the hope Jesus holds out. Drawing closer to the Savior of our souls and seeking Him in truth will cause real hope to abound and flourish as it springs us into an eternal certainty.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Revelation 22:1-21
More:
Read Isaiah 9:1-7 to see the prophecy of hope based in Jesus and His coming to earth.
Next:
Does the prospect of a new year fill you with anticipation or trepidation? How does the hope Jesus offers factor into your response?
Gary Shultz on December 31, 2016 at 6:49 am
Hi Remi: I believe the story of Jesus Christ will give anyone hope. Yes I have often been pulled down by personal and world events; however, God always ask us to look up. As the shepherds looked up and saw the glory we see beyond events and see the God who waits for us to follow Him. My focus must be continually reinforced with hope of God’s promise. Thankfully, I have lived long enough to have failed at many other attempt’s in life and have been convinced, that beyond doubt, that a life with God is far and away above anything else imaginable. Age does have some benefits, and for me, after graduating from the “School of Hard Knocks”, “Jesus is the sweetest name I know”. He has an enormous plan, and that to me, brings hope. There is no gift greater that we can pull from Christmas and bring into the New Year than hope, because of God’s love. Thanks Remi, Happy New Year, bring plenty of hope.
hsnpoor on January 1, 2017 at 7:52 am
Amen, BWO, Amen! Know God, know hope. No God, no hope. Doesn’t just work with peace. Works with every single true need we have. Happy New Year, Gary!
gagirllive on December 31, 2016 at 8:54 am
Hi, Remi. I agree with you. Watching the news can be so very depressing, but I often remind myself that there is NO bad news that can ever eclipse the Good News of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ! He alone is the hope of this sin-sick world. I’ll be clinging to Him as I go into 2017 because He alone is the anchor for my soul. I’m shipwrecked without Him. I know that there are a lot of uncertainties going forward, but His unfailing love and faithfulness will be the one constant that I can trust to meet me with the dawn of each new day. I close out this year and, by God’s grace, will open the new one with the same response of the shepherds on that starry night in Bethlehem long ago—glorifying and praising God for all I have heard and seen. Jesus Christ—the Savior and Hope of the world—has come to rescue us and is coming back again to take us home to Heaven! Hallelujah! Praying that you prosper in all things in the new year, Remi. Thank you for blessing us on the journey. Grace and peace!
tomi8050 on December 31, 2016 at 10:35 am
Thanks a million!
Great word as we transition into the gates of year 2017/5777 we enter these gates with thanksgiving knowing that Gods got our backs in Jesus name. Thanks Remi