Session 7

Hope Is Always Fulfilled by God

From Hope Is

Luke tells us about a man named Simeon who received a promise from God. God promised Simeon he would meet Israel’s liberator before he died. The people of Israel had been waiting hundreds of years for their rescuer, the Messiah. Then one day, the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple. Simeon obeyed and met baby Jesus that day.

Like Simeon, God sometimes gives us promises that are personal to our own story. Maybe God gave you a desire for children and four years later nothing has happened. Maybe God spoke to you about that family member who needs a relationship with Jesus, but hundreds of invitations and conversations later, that person is as far from God as ever. Maybe you’ve been praying for hurting loved ones for years with no answers.

Numbers 23:19 reminds us, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Waiting to meet Jesus wasn’t easy for Simeon, the same way that waiting to see promises fulfilled isn’t easy for us. But no matter what Simeon faced in the waiting, he could find hope knowing that God was not done. God will fulfill His promises, and He always finishes what He starts. So, if it’s not good—if God’s promises are not fulfilled—then God’s not done.

Pray:

God, thank You for keeping Your promise to save the world by sending Jesus. You have proven that I can believe You. When I’m tempted to doubt Your promises, help me to remember that hope is always fulfilled by You.

Reflect:

When have you seen God fulfill a promise to you in the past? Have you been given a promise from God that you’re still waiting to see fulfilled?