SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN: “A Time Of Hope”

*DAILY BREAD: A DEVOTIONAL FOR THE CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries Department

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Thursday, December 02, 2021

Topic: A Time of Hope

_For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV_ )

Has there been something extra special you hope will happen someday? Or are you waiting for something to happen? Maybe it’s an exciting event, like a birthday, graduation or maybe you’re waiting for an important package to arrive? Waiting for something can be hard. “Looking forward” means that something special hasn’t arrived just yet.
The Israelites were waiting for something. During the time of Isaiah, Israel had been conquered over and over. Foreign enemies ruled over them, and they wanted so much to be free. Where did their hope come from? They believed the Messiah, a rescuer, would come and save them. With his prophecies of a Messiah, Isaiah gave hope to God’s people. Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets waited with hope that someday God’s Messiah would come. Could they have imagined how Jesus would one day come to defeat the powerful enemy Satan and free God’s people from both sin and death?

How does Jesus give you hope? He died on the cross and paid for your sins, setting you free from Satan’s power. He protects you today too. He also promises you eternal life and equips you from now on to live for him. He promised to come back some day for you and I. He said He will back to take us to that beautiful body home He has gone to prepare for those that love and obey him; those who trust and believe in him. This is the blessed hope – the Advent hope. Have you given your life to Jesus yet? So, what are you waiting for?

*Song*
Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring:
Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing;
Jesus is coming again!

Refrain
Coming again, coming again,
Jesus is coming again!

*Prayer*
God of hope, thank you that the prophets continued to tell people that the Messiah was coming. Help us walk in hope during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for Jesus’ coming. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.