Nehemiah 8:5-15, Romans 12:9-13
Reflect
The Jewish and Gentile conflict was not new in the early church, which caused a lot of division among the different groups. It’s possible that it was not a place of fellowship and church family, which is why Paul talks about hating what is evil and loving what is good in the book of Romans. It would be hypocritical if people saw division and hate more than unity and love if they ever wanted to join the body of believers!
Our posture should not only be love, but it should also be joyful in hope (v12). That’s quite an oxymoron! Joy usually looks at the present, where hope looks to the future. Joy is considered shortsighted regarding the future, and hope is unaware of the present. Interestingly, Paul is saying be joyful in hope. Especially in times of trouble, affliction, or challenge, our joy does not stem fully on the present but what is to come as sons, daughters and co-heirs!
This is not wishful thinking because this rests in the assurance of God’s faithfulness and the expectation of fulfilled promises.
Apply
What causes you to lose joy?
How does advent help recover joy as we think of being joyful in hope?
Pray that the Lord would bring you to a deeper place of being joyful in hope this advent season.
Pastor Nathanael
Pray
- Pray for our childcare team, the children and their families this week. Pray for the Director, Angie Clark.
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor, Terry Okken and his family.
- Pray for our Missions Ministry Assistant, Oleksandr Lushchyk.
- Pray for our Young Adults Ministry Assistant, Shone Williams.