The Hope Of Waiting

We live in a world where the thought of waiting for anything frustrates many of us. Can you imagine waiting thousands of years?

You hear of promises and prophecies but you don't see the revelation. But still, you wait. Then comes a period of time of almost 400 years when even the prophecies grow silent and the waiting becomes harder and harder and longer and longer.

This is the season of advent...the waiting for the coming.

I didn't grow up in a liturgical church where we celebrated advent as many understand it. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I heard the term and started looking into it and discovered how amazing and powerful this time really is. This is the season when we take intentional time to try and imagine what it was like to know the Messiah is coming but waiting for Him with great expectation, not growing weary or discouraged in the meantime. Actually, it's not really so hard to imagine, is it? For those of us who have chosen to follow Him, we are waiting for Him today, not in the same way as before, for His initial arrival, but for His return. Our hearts are burning knowing that at any given time He could show up on scene and change everything.

As I thumbed through the She Reads Truth Advent devotional plan I am beginning today, and planning and preparing to take a few moments in our worship service over the next 4 Sundays to celebrate, I read this (if you attend our church or watch online, you will have already heard this):

Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of Him. At the creation we at once discern Him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of Him in the promise of the woman’s seed; we see Him typified in the ark of Noah; we walk with Abraham as He sees Messiah’s day; we dwell in the tents of Isaac and Jacob, feeding upon the gracious promise; we hear the venerable Israel talking of Shiloh; and in the numerous types of the law, we find the Redeemer abundantly foreshadowed. Prophets and kings, priests and preachers, all look one way—they all stand as the cherubs did over the ark, desiring to look within, and to read the mystery of God’s great propitiation.

Charles H. Spurgeon

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

It may seem dark right now but hold on...Hope is on His way.