The Apostle Paul was writing to the believers in Rome, encouraging them to strive to please God rather than other people. That’s such a lovely trap to walk into, isn’t it? Learning the difference between being kind to someone and working overtime to please them is tough.

Paul reminds believers then and now that this isn’t a new thing. It’s been around for a very long time, and God addressed it from the beginning, teaching us the right choices.

Those words, written millennia ago, give us hope and encouragement now, and will continue to do so into the future as we wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

We usually focus on a Promise fulfilled every Christmas season. From before the time of the covenant God made with Abram, God promised the Messiah. Then life happened, humans acted humanly, and covenant with God was broken. Exile and 400+ years of silence from the Almighty left people wondering, fearing, and hoping.

God had promised the Messiah, but He never said when that One would come. Only to be ready when He did.

Then one day, all the messianic promises were reality! Jesus was born. He was here, and so many who had been watching and preparing for Him missed Him, because though they had read the scriptures, they did not learn.

Let’s make the choices to prepare for the Lord, to make the changes required to be in His will. Let’s choose to examine the scripture for ourselves and learn from God all He wants us to know. Let’s be watching and waiting for our Savior/Messiah to return. Not sitting-back-waiting, but preparing in such a way that we help others become ready for His arrival, too.

There is Hope and Encouragement in the Word. God’s promises are true. Will you choose to lean in, learn, and hope today?

Coffee, Bible, Journal.

To view the video of this devotion and others, subscribe to my YouTube Channel.