Expected Hope

My morning devotional time, in the Scriptures, had me in Amos reading verses about Hope. I was in chapter 9, verses 9-15 but there were 2 that stood out to me:
"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord...."I will bring back the captives of my people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them." Amos 9; 13 & 14

Now this minor prophet of God wrote this book which is filled with prophecy of consequences and God's judgement on people who were unrepentant. But this portion is showing a promise of hope.
An expectation.
What God destroys, He WILL rebuild and repair. How I love this promise. It is just ripe with hope, isn't it? (read the chapter to get the full feel of this!)

"Behold, the days are coming......"
And this led me to meditate on words that Mary heard......and Elisabeth....and Zacharias....(Luke 1).
Words of hope.
Elisabeth was told she would bear a son. And she was barren! Talk about hope!! Can you imagine her feelings of expectation? How overwhelming it must have been!
Mary, of course, heard that she would give birth to the Son of God.....wow...I cannot imagine that happening....it is truly overwhelming to think about.

And Zacharias heard from God and prophesied about his own son preparing the way of the Lord AND about how the One to come after him would bring Light into darkness...and He would be a guide for our feet.....to the way of peace! What hope is sown in that prophecy!
We have a Hope that is built on Jesus Christ. How marvelous and wonderful!

As we reflect on the coming holiday and the reason we celebrate Christmas, may the Hope of God fill your minds, souls and hearts......and may you look to Him for Peace....
Expect Him to fill you with His Light......He is the Hope of Glory!