Do You Know The Art Of Waiting?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s Scripture prods us to look forward in an expectant and joyful anticipation of what God would do next in us and specifically to look forward eagerly in our belief that Jesus is coming back. When the Holy Spirit puts power in our belief and steel in our convictions, this determination changes the way we live. Our thoughts become taut and vision of the future is sharpened. We have a future, a distinctive sense of the future as Christians that sets us apart for His purposes. It is this focus on the Second Coming, this forward thinking that is so important to our faith, to our health, to our happiness. This anticipation creates a change in us. It puts things in perspective. We become the message of joy when we think to a future with Jesus reigning. Today, when we live in a way that expects Him to return soon, hope becomes forged with gladness. Our belief, our desire for closure, becomes balanced in His peace. Friends, this reality that may occur in ten thousand years and then again the appointed time might be soon and very soon. Do You Know The Art Of Waiting?
Scripture: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)
For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 (NRSV)
Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31 (NRSV)
Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NRSV)
Message: Noah waited 120 years until it began to rain. Abraham waited 99 years before the promise son, Isaac, came. Moses waited 40 years in the desert before the promise deliverance of Israel from Egypt took place. Joseph spent several years in prison before he became ruler of Egypt. David waited until the death of Saul before he became king. Even Jesus waited for 30 years before He started His ministry. Friends, God’s delay is not God’s denial. But then sometimes living by faith just does not seem to make sense. We have all seen the problems of injustice and evil in this world and wondered what God is doing! We wonder how long will this continue. And then it becomes clear that some things will be reconciled only when Jesus comes back. We must learn the art of waiting. We must learn that there is energy and effort in the waiting. We must believe that if we know God’s promises, rest in His character and rely on His love it is worth the wait. We are to become joyful and purposeful thru Christ working in our lives. We are to see that
God is preparing us to share what it means to be in true fellowship… even through the suffering. So get ready. It is Christ in us that connects us to the experience of real life not our job or status or situation. And as believers we are all connected in Christ and we are therefor to encourage each other on the journey. For all are to help…all are to be thanked. And in this connection we are to experience joy and the binding love of Christ. So friends, we are to have trust and joy in the midst of waiting for all kinds of things but especially so when we wait expectantly, as a body of believers for Him to return.
Pray we understand what we are living for. Pray we know how to wait and when to act. Pray we have a plan for our vision within a greater vision. Pray we believe that God is faithful to His promises. Pray we have faith that if we wait patiently those things in life that do not make sense will in time be used by God for the purposes of God. Pray we step out in faith so we can see the reality of faith as part of life and as a way of honoring God. Pray we wait prayerfully and expectantly. Pray we actively build others up while we are waiting. Pray that we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, finisher and perfecter of our faith….waiting …waiting for that day we will stand with Him before God. Pray our thoughts focus on Him and we begin to listen to what we should do in preparation. Pray this focus to the future brings us joy even in troubled lives awaiting the final peace.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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