Is There Assurance? I Sure Hope So!

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4)

We've all done it before, beloved, that wistful fingers-crossed-behind-the-back longing for something we want or need that is just on the horizon! How many times have you said to yourself, "I sure hope that works out"? What we need so much to understand is that no one wants more for us to be people of hope than does God!

This is the Advent season and, if you are accustomed to lighting Advent candles, then you know that this past Sunday was the time to light the candle of Hope. But is the hope that we find in Jesus' coming that "wistful fingers-crossed-behind-the back" kind that longs for something which may or may not happen? Not at all! This word in the original language of the New Testament could and should be translated "assurance." You see, God wants us as His children to be assured concerning what He has done for us in Jesus Christ.

And just what is the source of this assurance which the Advent season proclaims so joyfully to us? Here the Apostle Paul told the saints in Rome that our assurance comes from two directions. The first of these is "the encouragement of the Scriptures." The promises of God are found clearly laid out for us within His Word, beloved! If we would have hope, then, if we would be assured concerning what God has in store for us, we need to lean heavily upon the Scriptures.

The second direction from which comes our assurance as believers is our own personal "perseverance." This word in the original language means literally "a bearing up under." It means simply that we determine to stand under whatever circumstances of life God has allowed to come our way and to trust that He is in control and that He has a divine purpose for what He is doing. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king of Babylon that they would not bow down and worship false gods even if Jehovah did allow them to be cast into the furnace of fire (Daniel 3:18), so we today must determine that come what may we are going to trust God and be faithful to His Word.

Jesus is Himself God's gift of "hope" or the assurance of eternal life! As we celebrate another Advent season, let the candle of Hope remind you of the assurance that you can have through your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Is there assurance, then? Yes, praise God! There is...and His name is Jesus!

Ron