Life In Advent: So You're Telling Me There's A Chance
Part 2 of A Life In Advent Devotional
“So, you're telling me there's a chance?”
I've never been a big fan of the movie Dumb and Dumber, but that one line always stood out to me. In the face of rejection, Jim Carrey's character, Lloyd Christmas (fitting name for this season), clings to a sliver of hope that he might get together with his dream girl. A chance that almost seems too farfetched. It could have been the smallest of hopes, but he held onto it tightly. Probably a little too tightly. But still, a chance.
“A chance",” I wonder if that's how some of the Israelites felt as they waited for the arrival of their Messiah. Possessing a history of wandering and waiting, they had a God full of promises. Promises of a chance, that everything could change with a savior.
They didn’t always handle it in the best of manners, but despite their stumbles, they believed God still had a plan. They had messed up, but He remained faithful to His word. At times they were under captivity, yet they knew a Savior was promised.
During the season of Advent, we too must be reminded that the chance finally came. Immanuel, God with us- was not simply a possibility, but reality. A new covenant, that made freedom possible for everyone.
Where did those waiting find this "chance" to rely on?
They found it in the prophetic words God spoke through His messengers.
Promises like the one found in Isaiah 7:14:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
And in Micah 5:2:
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days."
These weren't empty words falling on deaf ears; they were God's promises. Promises that were meant to propel His people to keep waiting and relying on Him. God's promises push us toward reliance when we remember that He is faithful to His word. Promises propel us into the person of God.
God is faithful to His word.
That's in stark contrast to a world that's so quick to break promises or be unreliable. God is steadfast. If His word says there's a chance, then, my friend, there's a chance.
During this Advent season, I'm challenged to reflect on the promises of God—especially the promise found in the hope of Jesus. The Israelites held on, knowing they had hope. We, too, can hold on, knowing we have hope in Jesus.
When we receive bad news from the doctor, we can still have hope that Jesus is with us.
When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, we have hope that things can change.
When we're caught in a cycle of bad decisions, we have hope that Jesus is extending His rescuing arm.
Hope is uplifting; it means we can have a fresh start. It signifies that we have a plan and a purpose. Hope is a lifeline to the Creator of the universe.
Knowing the words found in Micah and Isaiah, we see that we have more than just a chance with Jesus—we have a perfect promise.
A promise that Immanuel has come, that God is with us.
The Israelites had to wait, but we simply have to welcome our Savior who stands at the door, knocking and waiting for us. Don’t wait, just welcome-
When we rely on the possibility of hope, it changes our perspective. It's so easy to focus inward and think, "It's all about me." But when we look to the hope of Jesus, it shifts our perspective to something greater. Jesus wants to do more in and through us.
This isn't just a one-time decision to choose hope. I think that's where many Israelites struggled; when they didn't receive their answer immediately, they faltered. We have the opportunity to live a life of Advent and hope.
There's humility in choosing hope. It requires us to be content without having all the answers and to rely instead on the Answer—the chance that changes everything.
No matter what you're going through today, there's a chance that everything can change with the arrival of Immanuel. (enjoy the video below reminding us of Immanuel)
How will you welcome Him into your life?
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:14
Prayer:
God, thank You for loving me so much that You would send Jesus so that I could be in communion with You. I humbly rely on Your word and promises. I choose to be reminded of Your hope. Amen.
Feel free to share this reflection or work through it as a family. Let's embrace the hope that Jesus brings this season and beyond.
That's a beautiful testimony! And Promise!
This is a great word! "God is faithful to his word." Just as he came and fulfilled his promises to Israel, he will come again to wipe away every tear! Thanks, Adam!