Ephesians 1:11-14
Verse 11 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will,
The fact that hope will be fulfilled means we should understand what it means to apply hope. Elizabeth and Zechariah’s lives had taken a dramatic twist and yet they were now able to put their hope into action. While it was a joy to have their prayers for a child answered, they needed to raise this child in the way God had commanded them to.
They were not to raise their son as an ordinary child and Elizabeth had already experienced how the Holy Spirit was on this child. They would need to apply the things God taught them over the years to help him become the man God had called him to be. They also had to make sure he never touched wine or other alcoholic drinks. God hadn’t chosen them randomly, He knew of their devotion to Him and His will and God knew they would do well with the task given them.
Their hope to please God drove them to apply all they knew about God and His Spirit to raise this boy up to know what he needed to know to speak boldly for God. This meant making the needed effort to speak truth into his life from the very beginning. It would be important for him to know the law and the prophets. They would need to help him grasp the law’s purpose in revealing sin.
Various people in the Bible had to apply hope to their lives. They had to take bold steps to choose to believe so firmly in their hope that they moved forward. Noah had the hope that God would do as He said, but he still had to build the ark. It may have taken 100 years of hope, but he kept building. David kept fighting for truth but didn’t fight the throne as he awaited his time to sit on it.
When we have hope we can do what needs to be done while waiting for fulfillment of what is coming and in that way we apply hope to our lives. Let the hope of Christmas drive you to forward in serving Him.
Making It Personal
When have you had to believe enough to keep moving forward? How can you apply hope in your life? How would applying hope bring a more cheerful sense to your life?
Making It Personal Kids
What do you have hope about? What do you do while you are waiting? Do you find joy in waiting?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us hope. Help us to know best how to serve You as we continue in hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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