Message summary: We have a living hope established forever in Christ's enduring Kingdom.

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"Your house and Your kingdom will endure forever before me; Your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

Last night we attended a Gaither Christmas concert at the Giant Center in Hershey PA. It featured the Gaither Vocal Band, along with other musicians and of course Mark Lowry!

We have enjoyed the Gaither's music ministry since we attended a concert together in Springfield, MO when we were in college and had first started dating. We were really young (late teens) and the Gaithers were also young, in their 30's (at that time it was "The Bill Gaither Trio" with his wife and brother). Now some 50 years later he is still going but not so young anymore. He is 86 but the stamina and energy he still had on that stage is remarkable considering his age!

One of the most popular Gaither songs many of our readers have sung is "Because He Lives" with these enduring words that speak to each generation.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

Today's first Scripture verse concludes a prophetic message of an enduring promise from the Lord concerning David: "Your house and Your kingdom will endure forever before me; Your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16).

Consider how devout Jews were to interpret this promise at the time of Christ's first advent (coming). After all, about 400 years after David lived the nation was taken into captivity and the earthly aspect of his monarchy (kingdom) ceased. In fact even after the Jews returned from Babylon there is no record of the monarchy being reestablished and neither has it been to this day. Israel has a prime minister, not a king.

But devout Jews recognized this promise to David to be a Messianic prophecy. This is clear from the context. Through David's offspring, Jesus Christ, His house and kingdom has endured and will endure forever. This truth is further emphasized; "Your throne will be established forever".

This great promise brings wonderful assurance today. Instability and uncertainty surrounds us. We wonder, what's next? On a personal level some of you are being battered about with issues in your own life. We can all sense the travails of the fallen creation in our families, communities and throughout the world.

But our focus must be on the ever enduring Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the angelic announcement to Mary, prior to her miraculous conception we read these remarkable words concerning Jesus: "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:30-33).

Consider our second text, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). We have a living hope established forever in Christ's enduring Kingdom!

Some 1,700 years after Christ's first advent George Frideric Handel captured this truth in the most memorable portion of his epic work, "Messiah". These words were sung last night at the concert and continue to powerfully move God's people.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)