I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel

Numbers 24:17

Hope. 2020 has been a year in which hope seems to be lacking. It’s been a year in which we have seen and experienced things that we couldn’t have imagined last year at this time. Who thought that we could shut down the world? I still find it difficult to accept that this could even happen. New words and phrases have become commonplace. “Social distancing,” “wear a mask,” “6 feet apart,” “alone together” and “Zoom” are now a part of our daily language. It sometimes is just too much to take in. In all this craziness, where is our hope? Where can hope possibly come from?

The text tells us, “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” I think this text gives us a clue as to how to answer the question of hope and its origin. The star pointed the way to a group of shepherds who started the night just like any other night. It guided kings from the East who had left their home in search of a king. Hope was found in God’s own Son sent to us to bring salvation to the world. That hope has always been with us and will always be with us, even now! Jesus is our hope!

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! – Psalm 34:3

Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for sending us hope – hope that is able to overcome any of our fears, hope that is always with us, hope that is found in you!  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Contributed by Tom Johnson