Rejoice In The Redemption

From today’s reading…

The power of hope:

Strong, skilled, equipped hikers have died within 48 hours of getting lost in the mountains without even opening their backpacks because they gave up hope.

Meanwhile, seven year old children with nothing other than the clothes on their backs have been found alive a week later because they weren’t cynical enough to lose hope—or do something stupid to make things worse!

But hope is different from faith.

The promise of faith:

Millions of people buy lottery tickets every day hoping they will win the big prize. The outcome—winning—is uncertain despite their actions.

But faith gives you the confidence that you are on the right track and that things will be better because of your actions.

Isaiah had faith that the Savior would come and that despite any hardships he might endure it was for the best.

Isaiah told us Jesus would be born and He arrived right on time.

So put down your hope and pick up your faith.

Faith that you are part of “the holy people.”

Faith that you are “redeemed.”

Faith that you are “Frequented.”

Faith that you are “not forsaken.”

Now all you have to do is…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.

Now go celebrate the one thing.

Merry Christmas.