Advent 2023 begins on Dec. 3 and ends on Dec. 24.

During this season of Advent, join us for weekly devotions as we enter into a time of expectation and anticipation in preparation for Christmas.

Hope prevails

By Raquel Alvarado Torres

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

— Luke 8:43-44, NIV

Imagine for a moment the life of this woman. She went from being part of a family, being a friend, being a daughter and being loved to being removed from society because of her medical condition. Adding to that, she had no home to stay in, no resources and no cure for her condition. Her future simply seemed hopeless — an empty and lonely life. 

Suddenly, hope came to her ears. There was a man who healed the sick and the paralyzed, who drove away demons and who could change the course of her life. This man was Jesus, the Messiah. We can easily perceive how hope was the only thing left for the woman. It was the only thing she was waiting for, and her time of waiting was over. Her hope had come, and her hope was Jesus. 

Trials and difficulties often take precedence in our human nature. They can cloud our thoughts and take our focus off our path. But just like this woman, our hope must remain and must become the fuel to continue our journey. Jesus remains forever, and the Jesus who healed this woman is the same Jesus of today.

In this season of Advent, Jesus invites us to rest our hope in Him. By God’s grace and mercy, our ministry offers that ray of hope to so many families in search of a decent place to live. Jesus shows us that our hope in Him is not in vain. 

Hope is a small word with only four letters, but it is extremely powerful when we allow ourselves to live it daily. A popular saying states that hope is the last thing to be lost, so let us celebrate the enduring hope found in Jesus during this season of Advent and throughout the year.

Prayer

Father, enable us this Advent season and every day of our lives so that our hope in You may remain despite circumstances. We recognize that You are a God who remains faithful to Your promises, and we know that You are in perfect control of our lives. Lord, we are assured that our hope in You is not in vain, and we thank You for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Questions

  1. What barrier is keeping me from resting my hope in Jesus this Advent season?
  2. How can I apply hope in Jesus during this week?
  3. How can I reflect and share this hope with someone else in my close or unfamiliar circle over the next few days?

 

Raquel Alvarado Torres is the spiritual life coordinator intern at Habitat for Humanity International. She is based in San José, Costa Rica.

The Lord is always ahead of us

By Ed Anderson

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:6-9, NIV

After 40 years of leading the Israelites in the desert, and at the age of 120, Moses is passing the leadership of the nation to Joshua. What should he tell the people? How can he give them hope in a time of uncertainty? What guarantee can Moses give over a million people that will guide them when he is gone? A leader transition is always difficult. What is the best assurance Moses can give them? 

Young children hate when their parents go away, whether to go to work, run an errand or just take a moment for themselves. I suspect I was no different. When I was growing up, my father was a federal park ranger in Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. Depending on the tasks he had to perform, the size of the park and the issues he might encounter, he could be gone for days before returning. I am sure I pitched a fit each time my father left, but my mother would assure me that he would return. 

Moving into a new location or home is also difficult. We moved our home every three to four years, often without my father because he was either waiting for his replacement or completing duties at his previous assignment. The days, and sometimes weeks, waiting for him to arrive were often filled with anxiety, but my mother would always assure me that my father would join us soon.

In the passages in Deuteronomy, Moses assures the people twice not to be afraid and that God will always be with them. Our heavenly Father never leaves or forgets us. He is a strong and reliable Father. Our hope is in Him.

Through our work at Habitat, we are on our own journey as we pursue a world where everyone has a decent place to live. As we move forward, we must also be strong and courageous. There is much uncertainty with the global housing crisis, and our organization is undergoing its own process of change and transformation. Throughout each challenge, though, we are not alone. During this season of Advent, let us remember the assurance of the Lord that He shall direct our path and guide us in His work.

Prayer

Father God, we praise You for Your love, grace and mercy. You are our hope. As we travel our paths and face the challenges of change and transformation, gently and frequently remind us that You are with us and will never leave us. As we experience triumphs and blessings, gently and frequently remind us that You are with us and will never leave us. We place our hope and trust in You, Lord. Please continue to guide us as Habitat serves those in need of safe and affordable housing. In Your powerful and loving name, amen.

Questions

  1. Have you ever gone through a change in your life where you were uncertain about what lies ahead?
  2. Have you ever experienced something — at work or in your personal life — where the only logical explanation was that God went ahead of you and made a way? 
  3. Hebrews 11:1, English Standard Version, says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” How do faith and hope guide your life? How do you see or experience faith and hope, knowing that we are living with an ever-present God who loves us?

 

Ed Anderson is chief administrative officer at Habitat for Humanity International. He is based in Naples, Florida.

That storm ... that hope

By Jennet Borla-Alcordo

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.”

—  Acts 27:20-22, NIV

Before setting sail, Paul gave a warning of danger. However, the men pushed through because so much time had been lost already. They met the storm, took the battering and lost all hope. But then there was a promise of deliverance to meet their goal.

In our work at Habitat for Humanity, we will always meet our own versions of a storm. In this ever-changing housing landscape, there will be roadblocks, discouragement and criticism. To face these challenges, just as those in the boat with Paul did, we need to continue on and keep our courage. We may take some beatings along the way, but we can adjust, retool and reposition. By keeping hope and pushing on, we will be blessed to see the victory from the fruits of our work.

This Advent season, as we celebrate the hope found in Jesus, we are reminded that He “came to seek and to save the lost,” Luke 19:10, New International Version. Let us never forget that we are not lost or alone. Whether winning, losing or still trying, God’s promise of faithfulness for the work He has started is reassuring.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Your son Jesus to us. As You use each one of us in this ministry, give us the strength and the courage to move forward with joy in our hearts. In times when our paths seem dim, please remind us that Jesus is our ultimate hope.

Questions

  1. How does this Scripture inspire you to keep moving forward? 
  2. Do you remember a time when you were almost out of hope and suddenly deliverance came?
  3. In your personal or professional journey, what can you adjust today to be on the path where you want to be and where God wants you to be?

 

Jennet Borla-Alcordo is the associate director of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance at Habitat for Humanity International. She is based in Makati City, Philippines.

A legacy of hope

By Sophia Nthuku

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” 

Genesis 50:24-25NIV

Joseph’s narrative serves as a compelling illustration of how his understanding of God influenced his decision-making across various circumstances. Amid a series of unfortunate events, Joseph’s unwavering belief in God’s character and promises shone through in his responses. Not once did he display apprehension that God had abandoned him, a fear that often drives us to take matters into our own hands, typically with unfavorable outcomes. Confronted with adversity, Joseph remained certain that God hadn’t forsaken him, staying firmly rooted in the dream he received during his time in his father’s household — a prophecy of future greatness.

When his time came to pass on, Joseph’s most valuable legacy to the children of Israel was one of hope. Throughout the journey to the Promised Land, as some people perished and others took up the responsibility of carrying Joseph’s remains in accordance with his last wishes, the story of his hope had to be recounted. The custodians became bearers not only of his bones but also of the hope that the Israelites would ultimately settle in the Promised Land.

As we work toward achieving Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, may we carry this hope as well, inspired by the understanding of God that Joseph demonstrated. We have taken on a monumental task and will be faced with difficult challenges, but we must remain unwavering in knowing God will not only lead us to do His work, but He will also complete it in His appointed time. In this time of Advent, let us never forget the hope that is found in Christ.

Prayer

Almighty Lord, it’s all too easy to lose sight of Your magnificence and falter under the weight of the world’s darkness. Today, I want to proclaim Your power in my life. I understand that Your love for me surpasses my understanding. There’s no reason for me to fear the future, for it is already in Your capable hands. May the hope I have in You manifest in my words, actions and prayers. Thank You, Lord, for I firmly believe that those who place their hope in You will not be disappointed. Bless our hearts today and forever, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Questions

  1. How would a reflection of the hope I have in God be expressed?
  2. What actions in my life mirror the hope I hold in God?
  3. What steps can I take to pass on the hope I’ve embraced to others, including my family and friends? 

 

Sophia Nthuku serves as program operations assistant at Habitat for Humanity International’s Africa Area Office. She is based in Nairobi, Kenya.