Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” As you prepare for the coming of the King this Christmas season, please join us for an Advent series of devotionals written by Hope Walks staff from around the world. This year, we look at the four Sundays of Advent (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) through the Psalms.
Hope Walks wishes all of you a joyous Christmas season. We pray these devotionals will touch your heart and offer a moment of reflection during this special time of year.
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First Sunday of Advent - Hope
God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
PSALM 62:5-6
DEVOTION
David trusted God so much that he surrendered his life to Him alone. David uses several words to describe the trustworthiness of God.
He is my Rock: God is the sturdy ground supporting a home or the mountain that rises above the floodwaters. David had built his life on this firm foundation. Strong faith in God is like standing on a solid ground that cannot be shaken.
He is my Salvation: David knew what it felt like to be surrounded by people who did not wish him well. God had delivered him time and time again from a boasting giant called Goliath, from a jealous king Saul, and also from the usurping son Absalom. God saved him from what looked like certain doom. As Christians, we face several challenges in our lives, including sickness. By the essence of being alive this day, God has saved us from various problems, and he continuously our salvation.
He is my Fortress: Nothing feels as safe as a city with a strong army and walls when the marauding armies invade the countryside. God is the one that David ran to when his enemies or even his sins attacked. God surrounded him with a strong defense.
God is indeed our Rock, Salvation and Hope. He has been a strong foundation and our shelter during life storms. Sometimes, we wonder if God is with us and aware of what is happening to us when worldly problems overwhelm us. But the Lord shall guard our hearts by filtering our emotions, desires, thoughts and responses through his word.
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, we thank you for always being with us. I pray that the life and worries of this planet Earth should not erode us and cause us to crumble but strengthen our hearts to know that with hope and trust in God, nothing can break us. Amen.
By Raphael Chitani
Program Manager, Malawi
Thank you for being part of our Advent devotions. Today, we focused on hope. Please consider becoming the source of hope for a child born with clubfoot. Our goal is to bring hope to 600 more children by the end of the year and offer them a Bright Future.