Covenant’s Advent Series-Week 1: HOPE

Created by Myrandi Ballesteros

I’ve always loved that the buildings on our campus reflect many of the names of God. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord is our Provider; Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is our Banner; Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There; Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness; Jehovah Rophe – The Lord our Healer.

When the Jireh building opened, a teacher researched the names posted above each doorway and shared them with me. Not only was it meaningful to know each one, but over the years, those names inscribed above the doors have been a reminder to me of God’s daily presence in our school.

As we enter this Advent season with a focus on hope, I’d like to reflect on the name “Jehovah Tikvah” – The Lord is our Hope. The Hebrew word Tikvah is translated as “rope” or “to hold with expectation”. When I was re-reading through the Christmas story in Matthew’s gospel preparing to write this devotional, there, listed in Jesus’s genealogy, is Rahab, one of five women named (Matthew 1:5).  If you know the story of Rahab, you know that Joshua’s spies instructed her to do something unusual in order to be saved from the destruction of Jericho by the invading Israelites. She was to tie a scarlet rope in her window as an identifying marker that her house and family were to be spared. That rope was her hope. (Rahab’s story is found in Joshua chapters 2-6, and because of her faith, she is again mentioned in Hebrews 11, known as the Bible’s “Hall of Faith”.) Regardless of her sinful past, Rahab believed that God had given the Israelites the land and then proclaimed Him as the God of heaven and earth (Joshua 2:11). Knowing this, she hung her hope outside her window and waited for Him to rescue her.

And He did.

But Rahab, her father’s household, and all who belonged to her were spared, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho. Joshua 6:25

Like Rahab, waiting for the reality of her deliverance, the Israelites lived with the same longing for a future salvation. The prophets proclaimed to them that their future lay in the hope of a Savior. Proverbs 23:18 says that “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” They clung to that hope, knowing He would not cut their rope. They believed that the same God who led them out of Egypt and gave them the Promised Land, would continue to be faithful to them and keep His promise.

And He did.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, God with us. Matthew 1:22-23

The hope of Israel took on flesh and is now the hope of the entire world. Our hope is a person…Jesus! And because of His sinless life, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, we are redeemed and can live with confidence that our eternity with Him in heaven is secured. “And now Lord, what do I hope in? My expectation is in You!” Psalm 39:7.   We live with expectancy, holding fast to Jehovah Tikvah, until He returns again.

And He will.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Family Devotional

Read the Scriptures together slowly, and invite each family member—young and old—to share what they hear or notice. After reading, select the discussion questions that best suit your children’s ages. There’s no need to cover everything; simply let the conversation flow naturally. You may also pick one of the simple activities to reinforce the theme of hope. Close your time by praying together and thanking God for sending Jesus, our true Hope.

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Romans 15: 12-13

  • Isaiah says people walking in darkness saw a great light. What do you think the “light” is? (Help them get to: Jesus.)
  •  Isaiah says Jesus will be called “Wonderful Counselor” and “Prince of Peace.” Which name do you like the most? Why?
  • How does Jesus bring us hope? (He loves us, is with us, takes care of us, came to save us.)
  •  Light and Darkness Object Lesson: Turn off the lights and turn on a small candle or flashlight. Say:  “Jesus is our light. Where Jesus is, there is hope.”
  • Jesus’ Names Ornament:  Let kids draw or write one of Jesus’ names from Isaiah 9:6 on a small card and hang it on the tree.

  • Isaiah describes a world in “deep darkness.” Where do you see people today needing the light and hope of Jesus?
  • “May you abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” What does it look like to “abound” (overflow) with hope in everyday life—friends, school, sports, stress?
  • Biblical hope is a confident expectation based on God’s promises. How is that different from simply wishing?
  • Scripture Reflection Card: Have them choose one phrase from the reading—great light, “Prince of Peace,” “God of hope,” etc.—and write a sentence about what it means to them right now.
  • Hope Challenge: Ask each child, “What is one area this week where you need to choose hope instead of worry?” Let them choose a small action step (such as a prayer or a verse to remember).

Lord,

You are Jehovah Tikvah—our Hope. Help our family hold firmly to You this Advent season. Strengthen our faith, give us confidence in Your promises, and fill us with the hope of Jesus.

Amen.

Written by Myrandi Ballesteros
Born and raised in Tyler, the Rose Capital of the World, Myrandi carries both the beauty and strength of her namesake—the Mirandy rose. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dallas Baptist University and began her career teaching kindergarten. Now serving as CCA’s Head of Early Childhood and Elementary School, she is also a proud mom to two CCA graduates, Brynlee and Maycee, and a joyful new grandmother to little Lawson.