GREAT EXPECTATIONS

 

Opening Scripture: Psalm 71:4-6 - "Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you."

Introduction

Hope is the adrenaline injected in us with the assurance of attaining success. In the jungle of human life, the journey from birth to death is often a test of faith, hope, and perseverance. At every stage of life, we encounter triumphs and tribulations, joys and sorrows, successes and failures, yet in the midst of all these, the presence of Jesus Christ remains constant, that is our hope. As the Alpha and the Omega, He is the beginning and the end, the author and finisher of our faith, hope, and perseverance—the hope of the child from birth to eternity. 

Psychology has unraveled that, people who fall in despair, without hope, are highly at risk of suicide. But for us who have Christ, we have an eternal hope. Therefore, we can say that we shall not die but live and declare the goodness of the Lord to the world.

In today's reflections, we will explore the scriptures in Psalm 71:4-6, Romans 8:26-30, and Luke 7:11-17 to reveal the unwavering hope that Jesus Christ offers to His children, from infancy to adulthood and beyond to keep us from giving up.

Are you a child of God?

1. Jesus Christ: Our Hope from Birth.

The psalmist cries out to God for deliverance from the wicked and expresses unwavering confidence and reliance on the Sovereign Lord from youth. These verses capture the essence of a child's dependency and trust in the divine providence of God from the moment of birth. Just as a newborn child is entirely reliant on the care and nurturing of its parents, so too are we, as children of God (John 1:12), dependent on the loving guidance and protection of our Heavenly Father.

In Christ, we are born as infants into the Saving arms of God, Paul says, "...mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it... (1 Cor. 3:1-2). The hope of the child in Christ is in essence the one who has been newly received into the family of Christ. The hope of the child of God is Jesus Christ.

In the journey of childhood, amidst the uncertainties and vulnerabilities, Jesus Christ stands as the unwavering source of hope and security. From the first breath we take, we are cradled in the arms of His grace, and throughout our formative years, His presence provides comfort and assurance. 

The Alpha, the beginning of our existence, and the Omega, the endpoint of our earthly journey, are both encompassed in the passionate love of Jesus Christ. 

In this way, the hope of the child of God is intricately woven into the fabric of God's eternal plan, reassuring us that we are never alone and that our lives are held within the divine embrace of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus Christ: Our Hope in Adversity

In the passage from Romans, the apostle Paul speaks of the hope that transcends all circumstances, assuring us that in our weakness, the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. This profound truth resonates deeply with the challenges and struggles faced by children as they navigate the complexities of life. 

From the pain of rejection to the anguish of loss, the uncertainties of the future to the storms of adversity, the hope found in Jesus Christ remains steadfast and unyielding.

For every child who cries out in despair, feeling the weight of the world pressing upon them, the promise of redemption and restoration in Christ offers solace and strength, that is our hope. 

The Alpha and the Omega, who bore the weight of the cross and triumphed over death, is the beacon of hope that illuminates the path through the darkest valleys and the fiercest storms. 

In Christ, the child finds the resilience to endure, the courage to persevere, and the assurance that no trial is insurmountable in the light of His unfailing love. It is in Jesus Christ, the source of eternal hope, that every child discovers the unyielding promise of redemption and renewal, irrespective of the challenges they face.

3. Jesus Christ: Our Hope of Restoration

The Gospel of Luke presents a powerful account of Jesus restoring life to a widow's only son, demonstrating His authority over death and His unyielding compassion for suffering. 

This miraculous event encapsulates the profound truth that Jesus Christ is the hope of restoration for every child, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. In the face of loss, grief, and despair, the promise of new life in Christ brings forth a hope that transcends all understanding.

When a child experiences the sting of loss or the devastation of brokenness, Jesus Christ stands as the epitome of compassion and restoration, offering healing and wholeness amid sorrow. 

The Alpha and the Omega, who conquered the grave and who promise to make all things new, is the embodiment of hope for the child who mourns and longs for renewal. 

In Christ, every shattered dream, every broken heart, and every lost opportunity finds the promise of restoration and redemption, for He is the one who makes all things beautiful in His time.

Conclusion

In every stage of a child's life, from the innocence of infancy to the complexities of adolescence, and into the responsibilities of adulthood, the hope found in Jesus Christ remains unwavering and unchanging. 

As the Alpha and the Omega, he is the steadfast anchor that holds the Christian child through every joy and sorrow, every triumph and tribulation, every aspiration and adversity. 

His love knows no bounds, His compassion knows no limit, and His promise of hope endures for all eternity. Let us take hold of this hope, and may we, as children of God, find comfort and strength in the unchanging love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega—the hope of the child, now and forevermore. Amen.

Shalom aleikhem...