The Gifts Beneath God’s Tree
“That through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV84
The third Christmas gift Paul mentions is the gift of HOPE. In Scripture true hope is always defined as hope placed in God; not in self, not in wealth, not in human beings. Why? Because God alone will never dash our hopes. God Himself promises in Romans 9: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him (Christ) will never be put to shame.” (NIV84)
In Romans 15:8 Paul explains why hope in God is such a certain hope, whether the hope is for eternal life or daily bread, a happy marriage or a productive ministry. In doing so, he points to Christmas and the first coming of Christ: “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs.” (NIV84)
Jesus came not only to suffer and die for our sins, but to fulfill every promise God ever made about saving lost humanity. The coming of Christ that first Christmas is itself the proof that God always keeps His word and promises. And so you and I can be absolutely certain that God will keep all His promises to us—the promise to save us; the promise to protect us; the promise to provide for us, strengthen us, and bring us safely from grace to glory.
Do you want a life overflowing with hope? It’s yours for the asking, gift wrapped and waiting beneath God’s tree—the cross.
Lord Jesus, fill our lives with hope. Remind us that You alone will never disappoint us. Amen.