Hope in Him

We hear it all the time: “Believe in yourself.” But when we take an honest look at humanity—at ourselves—it’s hard to find a lot of solid ground to stand on. Yes, there’s beauty in the world. We see moments of incredible innovation, kindness that takes our breath away, justice that inspires us, and creativity that reminds us of what’s possible.

But there’s also another side to humanity—one we can’t just ignore or gloss over with holiday cheer and twinkling lights.

Ever since the fall in the garden of Eden, the world has been fractured by sin—broken in ways we can’t fix on our own. (Romans 5:12) And we don’t have to look far to see the evidence. Nations are at war. Violence fills the news. People are trafficked. Women fear for their safety. Children go hungry. Discrimination persists.

And it’s not just out there. We see the brokenness in our own relationships, our own choices, our hidden struggles. We know the thoughts we wish we didn’t think, the words we wish we could take back, the moments we hope no one ever finds out about. It’s no wonder we grow tired of putting our trust in ourselves.

So if we’re going to have hope, it can’t come from humanity.
It has to be a hope for humanity.

And that’s exactly what we find in Jesus.

Where Adam fell into sin, Jesus lived without it. He faced temptation—real, heavy, human temptation—just like Adam and Eve did, and just like you and I do. (Matthew 4:1–11) But He didn’t give in. His perfect life made Him the perfect sacrifice, the spotless Lamb who gave Himself so we could be forgiven, restored, and made new.

So during this Advent season, as we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate with genuine hope. Not hope in ourselves. Not hope in “human goodness.” But hope in Christ. His birth tells us that sin isn’t the end of the story. Because of Him, we cling to a hope that lasts forever. We step out of darkness and follow the One who brings true light. And we look ahead to the day He will return—glorious, victorious, and ready to make all things new.

Today, let that hope draw you to Jesus.
Maybe the world’s brokenness weighs heavy on your heart. Maybe your own weaknesses leave you unsure or discouraged. But in Christ—and in Christ alone—you’ll find a hope you can trust, a hope you can rejoice in, a hope you can build your entire life upon.

🌟 Have you downloaded your FREE Seek First Advent Bible Reading Plan: Prepare Him Room? Click here to sign up, and use your Seek First Journal to record what God reveals to you along the way.  🌟

Scriptures to experience hope this Advent:

🌟 Hope Promised (Old Testament Prophecies)

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Jeremiah 33:14–16 (NIV)
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
“‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.
In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’”

Micah 5:2 (NIV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

✨ Hope Arrived (Christ’s Birth)

Luke 1:78–79 (NIV)
“Because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Luke 2:10–11 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”

Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

🔥 Hope Sustained (Our Present Confidence in Christ)

Romans 5:5 (NIV)
“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 15:13 (NIV)
“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.”

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…”

🌅 Hope Ahead (Christ’s Return & Restoration)

Revelation 21:3–5 (NIV)
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Titus 2:13 (NIV)
“…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”

Romans 8:24–25 (NIV)
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”