Everlasting Hope and Joy in Jesus
Today’s Advent Bible Verses:
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
As we continue our walk together this Advent season, we are reminded that God has revealed the “path of life” through His long-promised Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing true and everlasting joy.
For Christians, Psalm 16:11 emphasizes God’s closeness to us through His Son. Heaven touched earth when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. God’s presence was revealed in flesh and blood. In Jesus, we see the fullness of God’s joy, conquering sin, death, and the devil.
King David calls us to seek joy in God’s presence despite our burdens. Rooted in God's promises, being in His presence brings us life and hope. That hope in God is inspired by this verse, for Jesus, seated at the Father’s right hand, prepares a place for us in heaven. The joy Christians experience today living out their faith is but a foretaste of the eternal joy we know is ours when Jesus returns.
Let us continue our walk this Advent confident, knowing that Jesus has come, is with us, and most certainly will return. In Him alone, we find the fullness of hope and joy.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, as I walk this path of Advent, lead me ever closer to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill my heart with the joy of Your presence, and grant me hope in the promise of life everlasting. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The graphic above was generated by Apple Intelligence.