The Gift of Advent: Hope and Lament

God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me…

Psalm 61:1-2

In the spring of 2021, my heart was without strength. I had just endured a painful season of spiritual abuse, and God’s deliverance seemed beyond my grasp. Though my heart was weak, I kept pleading for God to help me.

It’s when we’re hopeless that we most need hope. Advent is for the weary, the weak, and the worn-out.

Remember Mary’s declaration? She said that God “has looked on the humble estate of his servant.”

If you don’t feel very spiritual during Advent, you’re in good company. You’re in the same condition as the Psalmists, the mother of Jesus, and nearly everyone at some point in their life.

In Romans 8:25-26, Paul acknowledged that we hope for what we cannot see:

Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.

When does the Spirit help us? When we’re strong — or weak? When we have eloquent prayers – or we’re croaking like a frog? When we’re theological experts – or lying on the floor without words?

Your weariness and doubts don't disqualify you from receiving the hope of Advent. Actually, it’s when we’re weak that we experience God’s help – and remember God’s hope.

Jesus came for the downcast, the disillusioned, the distressed. We don't have to muster false cheer.

Advent is a time for honesty. We can say, “God, it seems dark. Where is your light?” Come before God, as you are, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you with your prayers.

In Psalm 61, the writer ached for a king who would sit enthroned before God forever. In the coming of Jesus, that hope was fulfilled. Now we wait in hope for the true King to return.

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This devotional is excerpted from The Gift of Hope.

We’d love for you to join us as we read and discuss these Advent devotionals together in the Uncommon Pursuit community (learn more).