This Advent, we’re exploring how God brings Divine Hope into real life, even into moments that feel uncertain or confusing. Divine Hope is the kind of hope that comes from God. It’s hope that reminds us He is with us, cares for us, and is working for our good even when we can’t see it yet.

Today, we’re looking at a part of the Christmas story that doesn’t always get much attention: the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah (they were part of Jesus’ extended family!).

They were two people who knew what it felt like to doubt.

Have you ever doubted something good could come from a tough situation?

They had prayed for years to have a child, but nothing seemed to change. As they got older, it probably felt like their hope was running out. So, when an angel told Zechariah that they would finally have a baby, he struggled to believe it. His doubt was so strong that he couldn’t speak until the baby was born.

This baby was Jesus’ cousin, John. When John was born, Zechariah wrote down the name, just as the angel had told him, his voice returned.  He realised God had been close all along, even when he felt unsure.

Even when it was hard for them to trust God, God hadn’t forgotten them. When their son was finally born, Zechariah praised God because he realised this truth: Even when it’s hard to trust God, He is still working for our good.  

Sometimes we feel the same. Life can be confusing or hard, and it’s easy to wonder if God is really there.

I talked with one of our teachers about a moment when they felt unsure things could improve, and how God stayed with them the whole time – this is their story:

“I had serious problems with my back, and the pain was so bad that I could hardly move for two months. I spent most of that time lying on the floor, and even simple things like eating were difficult. I needed help with almost everything.

The doctors told me I would need surgery, and that was really scary. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, and I wanted to trust that God would be with me.

Two different people prayed for me at different times, but nothing changed. My pain stayed the same. However, I knew that God was still watching over me and trusted myself to Him. In the bible it says: "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans."

Then a third person came and offered to pray. As they prayed, I felt a heat in my back, and the pain began to ease. Slowly, things started improving. When I went back to the doctor, they were surprised and said I no longer needed surgery.

Even when I had cause to doubt, God was still working. For me, this whole experience showed that God is faithful, no matter what things look like around us. Sometimes we let our circumstances shape how we see God, instead of letting God shape how we see our circumstances.”

Maybe you’ve been waiting for something.
Maybe you’ve felt unsure about your future, friendships, or your place in the world.
Maybe you’ve wondered if things will ever change.

Both stories above tell us:
God is still at work – even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Hope is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it grows slowly, quietly, and then suddenly shines through in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

When life feels painful or uncertain, how can we remember that God is still at work even when we can’t see it?

As we prepare for Christmas, remember: God doesn’t ask us to have perfect faith or never doubt. He simply invites us to trust that He is near, that He is faithful, and that His hope can break through even the darkest, most confusing moments.

Let’s pray:

Lord,
Thank You that You are with us, even when we feel unsure or full of doubt.
Help us to trust You when life is hard, and to remember that You are always working for our good.
Give us courage, hope, and peace as we walk with You each day.
Amen.