The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 104
Hope As The Gift of A Saviour!
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
– Luke 2:11
Happy Holidays! May you have a wonderful day in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as you celebrate His first coming make sure that your heart is prepared and ready for His second coming. For Jesus said in Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
As I reflected this morning on what Christmas was like for me over the years especially as a child, I realized that every year the one thing I desired more than anything else in the world was to receive a gift. Not just any gift but a gift that will make me feel loved, appreciated, valued and special. After all, Christmas is about giving gifts, right? However, I never received a gift at Christmas, not from family nor friends.
There were times when I was involved in gift exchange as a youth in Church and I prayed that the person who picked my name will give me such a gift but I always got a gift that was an ornament of little value that had no meaning to me. On the other hand, I would investigate the needs of the person whose name I selected and give that person a gift that he or she can enjoy no matter the cost. After a while, I decided never to be involved in gift exchange anymore because I was always disappointed with the gift I received.
In recent years before I left home to live on my own, I would watch others put their gifts under the Christmas tree, which they excitedly opened on Christmas morning. I was just as excited for them but deep within my soul sank with the pain of sadness.
For many years I questioned, “What’s wrong with me? Am I not valuable and special? Don’t I mean anything to the people in my life? Don’t I deserve good gifts?”
I concluded that there is no place in this world for me. That I do not belong anywhere. That there is no hope. That I don’t deserve anything good. Therefore, I give of my best to everyone else because they deserve the best and to preserve whatever little sanity I have remaining, I decided to retreat so that I would have no expectation of anyone and I would no more be disappointed.
I was wrong. There is hope and I have hope. I do deserve good gifts. I am loved and appreciated by, as well as valuable and special to God. He demonstrated His great love for me by giving me the best gift ever, that is, the gift of a Saviour, Who is hope, Who gives me hope and in Whom is my hope.
Luke 2:11 tells us, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.”
When I read and meditated on this verse this morning, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the day Jesus was born a Saviour, hope (expectation, trust, confidence) was delivered to me as the gift of a Saviour. This tells me that Jesus doesn’t only give hope but He Himself is Hope. Therefore, He is my hope. He gives me hope. Hence, my hope is in Him only.
The Anointed One the Lord has delivered, preserved and saved me from the danger or destruction of the negative thoughts and lies of the enemy perpetrated by the spirit of bondage to fear; He has brought me into a state of prosperity and happiness, and has given me eternal life and blessedness in His kingdom, when I received the Spirit of adoption, whereby I cry, Abba, Father (see Romans 8:15).
Thus, I do belong somewhere, I belong in the kingdom of Abba Father who has adopted me as His precious daughter and given me the greatest gift of all, which I deserve. From Him comes every good and perfect gift (see James 1:17). Hence, there is no other place I would rather be today and always than in His presence, where there is fullness of joy and seated at His right hand where there are pleasures forevermore (see Psalm 16:11). There He can reveal to me His secrets and truths about His love and purpose for me.
Today, if you are feeling sad and disappointed because you did not receive a gift or the gift you expected from a loved one, know that Abba Father has already given you the best gift you can ever desire because you deserve it. Reach out to Him, His is waiting with open arms to welcome.
God bless you!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Abba, Father, I worship and give You glory today and always. Thank You for hope as the gift of a Saviour. I declare that Jesus is my Hope, He has given me hope and in Him only I hope. I declare that I am no longer influenced by the spirit of bondage to fear which I have not received, instead, I am continuously blessed as I have received the spirit of adoption, whereby I cry Abba, Father. Therefore, I am loved, appreciated, valuable and special to God as His precious daughter, and I find my place in His kingdom forever. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ precious name with thanksgiving. Amen!
