A Thrill of Hope: Where does our hope come from?

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”

This is one of my favorite lyrics in one of my favorite Christmas songs. Such a beautiful composition to convey the wonder ushered in by the coming of the Messiah.

The Christmas season is a time to renew our hope. We can all agree that our world is weary and in need of more peace, love, and unity. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” 

Have you experienced dwindling hope this year? Have difficult circumstances caused you to lose sight of the promises God speaks over your life in His word? I pray as Christmas approaches, your spirit will be rekindled, your joy restored, and your hope refreshed as you lean into the story of God’s plan to redeem a broken world.

Soak in the words of these verses, let them wash over you and remind you of the hope we find in Jesus: 

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

"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. Romans 15:13

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23