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Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

So far, we have repeated our verse and written it. Today, we are going to do something extra creative. Today we are going to put our verse to music and make it into a song! If you remember back on Monday, we talked about how the Psalms were often songs, so it makes perfect sense to make our verse for this week into a song.

There is no right or wrong way to do this, use an instrument if you want, clap your hands to keep a beat, or just sing in whatever style you wish. After you’ve formed your song, make sure to share it with the rest of your family. Parents, grandparents, babysitters, older siblings, don’t be shy, you can get in on the fun too! Share your musical talent and decide who’s song is the most catchy all while storing God’s word in our heart!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

The apostle Paul is one of the most well known followers of Jesus after His resurrection. He wrote the book of Romans which was actually a letter to the church in Rome. Paul wanted the people of Rome to understand the gift of salvation and what it means to live a life full of faith. Although Paul was writing to the Romans, his message is just as applicable to us today.

Believing in God can sometimes be really tough. We can experience doubt, questions, and sometimes even get made fun of for following Jesus. But the really awesome part is that through all of that we can have peace and joy knowing that our God is real. There is comfort in trusting that He is always working.

In today’s verse Paul is encouraging the church in Rome to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. According to the dictionary, to abound means to exist in large numbers or amounts. So, to abound in hope means to have so much of it, that regardless of our circumstances, we can have hope that Jesus is with us and that He is working.

Have you ever experienced a situation that left you feeling defeated and unsure how things could get better, but over time it did get better? What did you learn? Ask a parent or grandparent to tell you an example of this happening in their life.

What does it look like to abound in hope no matter what you are facing?

“As we yearn for Your coming, refine our hearts' deepest hope.”

Romans 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

The season we find ourselves in is one marked by a profound longing - a yearning for the coming of Christ, the promised Messiah who will restore all things. This yearning stands in stark contrast to the flurry of activity and temporary distractions that often characterize this time of year. Even as we eagerly anticipate His arrival, our hearts can become cluttered with lesser hopes, fleeting pleasures that pale in comparison to the true hope found in Jesus. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a transformative day when God would "put [His] law within them, and [He] will write it on their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:33). This is the sacred work that takes place during Advent - allowing God to refine and purify the deepest hopes of our hearts, stripping away all that is shallow or fleeting. Christ desires to reorder our loves, to realign our longings with His perfect plan.

While we wait with eager expectation, the Lord invites us to open our hearts to His searching gaze. He longs to reveal any false or fading hopes that have taken root within us. Are we placing our trust in the passing pleasures of this world, or are we anchoring our souls in the eternal promises of God? Have we confused our temporary desires with our deepest longings, allowing lesser things to crowd out the hope found in Christ alone? This Advent season, we are encouraged to surrender our lesser hopes, our broken dreams, our shattered expectations. For the Lord desires to replace them with a hope that does not disappoint, a hope that is "steadfast and sure" (Hebrews 6:19). Christ's arrival ushers in a new era of redemption, restoration, and eternal life - the fulfillment of God's ancient promises. 

By yielding our hearts to the refining work of the Holy Spirit, our yearning for Christ's return can become the defining passion of our lives. The Savior bids us to fix our eyes on the horizon, watching and waiting with hopeful anticipation for the dawn of His arrival. For He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart, redeeming our past, renewing our present, and securing our eternal future. The journey of Advent invites us to surrender our own agendas and ambitions, allowing the Lord to recalibrate our hearts to beat in sync with His perfect purposes. Our desires will be refined and reshaped, reoriented to long for the triumph of justice, the reign of the Prince of Peace, and the restoration of all things. In this sacred process of realignment, we discover the profound joy and lasting peace that can only be found in a life wholly surrendered to God. As we await the fulfillment of God's promises, may our longings be purified, our hopes restored, and our lives reflect the very heart of our Heavenly Father. For it is in this alignment of our desires with His that we will find the deep and lasting joy that Christ's coming brings.

Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:

Romans 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

• What hopes or expectations are you clinging to this Advent season? How can you surrender those to God, allowing Him to refine your deepest hope and reorient your heart toward the promises of Christ?