Unto Us: The Gift of Hope (Luke 1:5-25//39-45)

Devotional

Day 1: Doubt can blind those waiting in the dark

When prayers feel unanswered and years of silence have hardened the heart, it is normal for doubt to rise; still, that doubt can prevent one from recognizing God's sudden breaking-in and the way He answers more broadly than expected — notice where disappointment has made light feel blinding, and be willing to let God root out that unbelief so the promise can be received. [31:06]

Luke 1:5-25 (ESV)

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Reflection: Identify one long-standing disappointment where doubt has become a default response; write a one-paragraph prayer honestly naming that doubt, then take one tangible step today to receive God’s light (read a passage that promises His faithfulness, call a trusted friend to pray with you, or bring the specific request before the Lord in prayer).

Day 2: Jesus is a sure, steadfast anchor of hope

When circumstances drift and storms rage, the heart can be anchored in a Person, not a promise of comfort — because Christ is presented as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, one can hold fast to a living hope that reaches into the unseen inner place behind the curtain and does not depend on changing situations. [13:07]

Hebrews 6:19 (ESV)

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

Reflection: Name one fearful circumstance that tempts you to despair; today for five minutes memorize Hebrews 6:19, then out loud declare it over that circumstance and write down one practical thing you will do this week to trust God rather than your fear (for example: call a counselor, set a budget step, or schedule a reconciliation conversation).

Day 3: The Messiah brings light and unending peace

The coming King is not merely a political fix but the breaking-in of light into deep darkness; the child born is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, whose reign brings justice, righteousness, and a zeal from the Lord that accomplishes what human effort cannot. [21:30]

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (ESV)

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reflection: Who in your circle is living under a shadow right now? Today pray for one specific person for five minutes, then send them a short message (an encouraging Scripture, an offer to pray with them, or an invitation to gather) that points them to Christ as the true light and peace.

Day 4: God promises a forerunner to restore hearts

God’s plan includes preparing the way: He promised to send a prophet like Elijah to turn hearts, reconnect families, and restore relationships so that his larger work of redemption can be received — hope often arrives with a preparer who awakens hearts to what God is doing. [18:28]

Malachi 4:1-6 (ESV)

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all the evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

Reflection: Is there a strained family relationship that needs a softening of hearts? Today write a short, humble note (two or three sentences) expressing care or asking for permission to pray, and then pray for three minutes asking God to move as the Restorer of hearts before taking any further step this week.

Day 5: When doubt is loud, faith watches and trusts

Often the loudest obstacle to God’s work is the mouth that rehearses fear and complaint; faith sometimes must say, “Shut your mouth,” choose silence of distrust, and watch God fight on behalf of his people while trusting his timing and methods. [38:01]

Exodus 14:10-14 (ESV)

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Reflection: The next time anxiety or cynicism rises about a situation, practice a simple ritual: pause, pray “Lord, I trust You,” for thirty seconds, then choose one obedient action step (no matter how small) you can take today that aligns with trusting God rather than venting — and do it.

Sermon Summary

Advent reminds me that our hope is not manufactured by the season or secured by circumstances; it is anchored in the living Jesus who came, died, rose, and will come again. We lit the candle of hope because Christmas isn’t a sentimental escape from reality—it is God’s decisive action in the middle of our reality. The world sells a Hallmark version of hope that rises or falls with outcomes: gifts, reconciliations, perfect mornings. But when those hopes evaporate—or even when they “work” and still leave us hollow—we remember that Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is God’s sure promise believed and his presence received.

We walked with Zechariah and Elizabeth into a dark season: 400 years of divine silence, personal barrenness, a corrupt king, unanswered prayers. Into that darkness, God sent Gabriel to announce the impossible—an aged couple would conceive a son who would prepare the way of the Lord, fulfilling Malachi and Isaiah. Zechariah’s heart, formed in long disappointment, defaulted to doubt. That doubt wasn’t unforgivable, but it was dangerous. So the Lord, in mercy, muted him—not to shame him, but to save him from the spiral of unbelief and to make space for faith to grow.

Scripture teaches us to discern the difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt is the reflex of people who’ve lived long in the dark; unbelief is the refusal to look at the light when it’s turned on. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is to be quiet—stop rehearsing the impossibility—and watch God fight for us. And then, when hope takes root, we speak. Hope always demands declaration. John leapt in the womb, Mary magnified, and we—on this side of the cross and empty tomb—declare not only that he is coming, but that he has come, and he is risen. So pray big—prodigals, healings, provision—but put all your weight on Jesus. He has already broken through. Let his presence be your anchor, now and until he appears again.

Key Takeaways

1. Hope is anchored in Christ alone Biblical hope isn’t optimism; it is a sure and steadfast anchor in a living Savior who holds us when everything else shakes. Our anchor is set “behind the curtain,” beyond what we can see, so circumstances don’t get the final word. Because he is risen, hope is alive, durable, and transferable into every storm. Set your weight on him, not on outcomes. [12:48]
2. Distinguish doubt from willful unbelief Long disappointment makes doubt feel normal, but unbelief is choosing to ignore the light when God turns it on. Bring your questions into the presence of God; don’t cuddle them as badges of sophistication. Let the Lord expose the roots of your doubt and convert them into trust. He welcomes honest hearts that refuse cynical resignation. [13:34]
3. Sometimes faith must silence our mouths Zechariah’s muting was mercy; God made room for faith by quieting the reflex of despair. Scripture calls us to stand still, close our striving, and watch God fight for us. Refuse the habit of narrating impossibility, and attend to God’s voice and timing. Silence can be the doorway where hope regains its volume. [38:01]
4. Hope demands declaration, not hoarding John leapt in the womb and grew to point at Jesus; we now declare the finished work Christ accomplished. Even the least in the kingdom holds a greater privilege—to bear witness that the King has come, is reigning, and will return. Hope is not private sentiment but public testimony that reorders lives. Speak Jesus into your circles with humility, clarity, and joy. [45:11]
5. Pray big, but cling to Jesus Ask boldly for healing, reconciliation, and provision, yet refuse to tether your joy to outcomes. Christ has already broken through, and his presence is your better portion when answers tarry or come differently than you imagined. Let his sufficiency steady your waiting and purify your desires. Hope thrives when Jesus—not the gift—becomes the treasure. [48:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - Opening Prayer of Advent Hope
[03:14] - He Is Risen; Identity and Hope
[04:19] - Advent: Past and Future Coming
[07:01] - When Christmas Loses Christ
[08:09] - Sentimentality vs Biblical Hope
[10:55] - Look to the Light in Darkness
[12:48] - Hope as the Anchor of the Soul
[13:34] - Doubt vs Unbelief Explained
[23:14] - Zechariah Offers Incense
[27:49] - Gabriel Announces John’s Birth
[35:38] - Merciful Silence for Zechariah
[42:33] - Mary Visits; Joy Leaps
[46:44] - The Gospel and Our Declaration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Read Luke 1:5–25 together before you start discussing. — 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God, when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself hidden for five months, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Observation Questions

In verses 13–17, what specific promises are made about John’s character and mission? What words or phrases in the passage point to both personal blessing (for Zechariah/Elizabeth) and a wider purpose for Israel?
Verse 11–12 shows Zechariah’s reaction to the angel. What does the passage record as his immediate response, and how does that connect to the crowd’s situation outside the temple (v.10)?
The pastor contrasts doubt and unbelief — “doubt is the reflex of people who’ve lived long in the dark; unbelief is the refusal to look at the light when it’s turned on.” How does Luke 1 show that distinction in Zechariah’s words and God’s response? [13:34]
Luke uses incense and the priest’s hour to describe the scene (v.9–10). What picture does that give of Israel’s prayers, and how did the sermon describe the effect of 400 years of silence on those prayers? [23:14]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Luke emphasize Zechariah’s priestly role, his offering of incense, and the 400 years of prophetic silence? What theological purpose does that historical detail serve in the story? [17:03]
Gabriel declares Zechariah will be silenced because he did not believe (v.20). From the passage and sermon, what purpose did that muting accomplish—both for Zechariah’s heart and for God’s redemptive plan? [35:38]
The sermon framed Advent as both a past coming and a future coming (first and second advent). How does that “already / not-yet” tension change how one should interpret God’s answers to prayer in the present age? [04:19]

Application Questions

Identify one deep, lingering disappointment or “empty seat” in your life (a relationship, a child, an ongoing loss, an unanswered prayer). How has doubt shaped the way you talk about or pray about that situation? Choose one concrete first step this week to bring that doubt into God’s presence (write it down, tell a trusted believer, pray it aloud). [13:34]
The pastor said sometimes faith must silence our mouths—“the Lord will fight for you and you have only to be silent.” What would “shutting your mouth” look like this week when anxiety or repetitive complaining starts? (Give a specific practice: a one-sentence prayer to repeat, a person to send a text to instead of venting, or a 10-minute silent prayer before bed.) Commit to it and share how you’ll be held accountable. [38:28]
“Pray big, but cling to Jesus.” Pick one big thing you will pray for this Advent (a prodigal, a healing, financial provision). Then name one daily habit you will use to keep your hope anchored in Christ rather than in that outcome (Scripture reading, worship song each morning, a weekly confession of God’s character). Be specific about the habit and when you’ll do it. [48:33]
Hope demands declaration. Choose one person or one small circle you will intentionally speak the gospel or a short testimony of hope into this week (a phone call, an invite, a text). What will you say, and when will you do it? [45:11]
Zechariah’s muting was a merciful discipline to expose unbelief. What hidden unbelief or cynicism do you need to ask God to expose and remove? Who in this group (or another trusted friend) will you ask to pray for you and check in next week? [35:38]
Make a short “faith memory list”: write two or three concrete ways God has been faithful to you in the past (dates, events, small details). Decide where you’ll keep that list (phone note, wallet, mirror) and read it the next time doubt rises. Share one item from your list with the group. [41:21]

Sermon Clips

But realize, we live in a world that intentionally tries to fabricate hope by dismissing the one that substantiates hope. Hear that? Like, when Jesus is dismissed, all we're left with is a watered-down commercial version of Christmas that's ultimately just hollow sentimentality. That's what it is. Even the word hope then becomes a synonym for ambiguous optimism or just wishful thinking. That is not how the Bible talks about hope. [00:08:09] (35 seconds) #HopeNotHype

Because Christmas is supposed to be this perfect thing, it's connected with a lot of despair and hopelessness in people's hearts. And hear me, some people take that, the pain and the ache, and they use that as a reason for why they don't celebrate Christmas or why they don't look to Jesus. But hear me, that's exactly why we need Jesus. That is the reason. Guys, I don't know if, shocker, this is not heaven. This world is full of death and pain and sorrow and sin. [00:10:19] (44 seconds) #JesusForTheBroken

I need your prayers. I need you to go before the throne of heaven to the one who is my substance, my firm foundation in Christ alone. Because without him, there is no hope. Without him, it's just uncertainty and wishful thinking. Though in him, it's not uncertain or wishful. It's firm. He's unchanging. He's substantial and he's alive. And so this morning, we're setting our anchor in our certain and living hope. And his name is Jesus Christ. [00:12:09] (37 seconds) #AnchorInChrist

You guys know hope has a name? Emmanuel. Jesus Christ. God with us. Through the storm, through the night, whatever you're facing, he's with you if you are in Christ. Hebrews 6.19 puts it like this. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. A hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. Even where you can't see. Even when you don't fully understand, your hope is still alive in Christ. [00:12:46] (32 seconds) #EmmanuelHope

But even on a personal level, giving you your baby. That hits deep for so many. Like that hope, that promise. Like God isn't just, he's not just like, this is for the entire world and it's big global redemption, creation narrative. It's also like I see you and I know your heart's desire and I'm meeting you right where you are. But also more than you could ever imagine. Long lay the world and sin and error pining, which is a groping in the dark till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. [00:29:22] (52 seconds) #GodSeesYou

The real question is, even though God can handle it, the real question is, can you handle it? Can you, will you come to grips with the root of your doubt and disappointments? Will you declare, oh God, I am but a breath. All that I have set my hope in is dust and ashes. When you come to grips with that, what you will realize is that your only hope is in God alone and in Christ that hope is alive. [00:34:19] (38 seconds) #HopeInGodAlone

Who do you trust? Your circumstance? The creator of the universe who loves you unconditionally even in spite of our incapacities are you trusting in your ability or his? What you can do or what he has done? Corrie Ten Boom put it best she said this never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God that's deep think about it never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God the Lord will fight for you and you have only to be silent. [00:41:47] (43 seconds) #TrustTheKnownGod

``Because our hope doesn't just announce his coming guys our hope declares he already has come we're not rising we're risen because he is risen indeed that's what's different guys this is the gospel that God became a man and he lived the life that we couldn't live and he died the death that we deserve to die and he paid the price that sin demands he broke the curse of death eternal and condemnation he broke it by paying the price that we could not pay. [00:47:18] (31 seconds) #HeIsRisen

He broke open the grave through the resurrection and he paved the way to eternal life and it's an eternal life that doesn't just start one day when we die guys it starts the moment you place your faith and hope and what he did at the cross and he fills you with his spirit and he transforms you from the inside out to be his hands and feet in the world even on this side of heaven and on this side of the cross we live in the in between between the first and second advent and we declare his hope to a hopeless world light in the dark. [00:48:00] (31 seconds) #ResurrectionLifeNow

Where's your hope is it in this world is it in that breakthrough that you're praying for listen whatever breakthrough if it's of God I'm in it with let's go I'm praying with that with you for that kingdom come but don't be deceived cling to Jesus in it put your hope in him put your weight for joy and peace and fulfillment all on him not on that breakthrough not on that relationship put it on Christ because the best news of all is that he's already broken through and he loves you too much to allow you to love that thing or that situation more than you love him and it's the priorities light has come knowing that now we pray for everything else pray for that prodigal pray for that healing pray for his presence to infiltrate your family and your workplace and your bank accounts let him bring redemption and restoration to that which is broken and insofar as he doesn't do it in the way that you want him to let his grace be more than enough for you that's hope. [00:48:33] (70 seconds) #ClingToChrist

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