Wait and See
We live in a world of hurry. Instant gratification. We get impatient waiting for a two minute traffic light to change, or for our fast food. We send instant emails or texts instead of sending a hand written letter. Same day delivery is an option with some vendors, while others provide your package within two days. I ordered a charger for my phone last Friday and it arrived the next day. That’s crazy fast. We want what we want, and we want it right now.
The best news the world could ever hear was revealed to prophets long before it took place. Did those who had heard these promises get tired of waiting? Were they paying attention in the first place? The scriptures were read when they went to worship. Were their minds crowded with other thoughts? Like maybe what they were having for lunch afterwards? How could the advent of the promised Messiah be missed by so many people? We are not much different so don’t go criticizing.
The promise was first given in the garden of Eden, around 1,500 years before Jesus was born. Genesis 3:15 foretold the birth of Christ when God told the serpent that even though he would hurt the heel of the One to come, his own head would be crushed. A promise of victory over the sin and death that had slithered into Adam and Eve’s lives. And ours.
And John the Baptist pointed Him out. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) I’m grateful for those in my life who have pointed me to Christ.
We wait now for Him to return. How long will we have to wait? I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it could be any time. Channel surfing the other day I stopped on a program that was telling me that instant travel (“beam me up” stuff”) was just within our reach. I guess when the church is raptured, the world will say we just all went to live somewhere else. Which will actually be true, but not in the way they might think ;)
In the meantime, the darkness we feel is real and it’s strong. The world is full of hate and evil. But believer, be thankful that God “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:12) Hold fast to the Word of God and it’s instructions to us as we wait.
Written about 700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah 9:2 tells us: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” True believers in the past waited for the Light. Simeon rejoiced to see the Savior he had longed for. In Luke 2:32 he called the Child “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
1 John 2:8 tells us that “…the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.” Do you know this One born in a lowly manger so long ago? The One whose birth was announced by prophets and a brilliant star? I pray the Light would shine on your heart this Christmas season and that you might truly know the Messiah. He's not a baby anymore.
The best news the world could ever hear was revealed to prophets long before it took place. Did those who had heard these promises get tired of waiting? Were they paying attention in the first place? The scriptures were read when they went to worship. Were their minds crowded with other thoughts? Like maybe what they were having for lunch afterwards? How could the advent of the promised Messiah be missed by so many people? We are not much different so don’t go criticizing.
The promise was first given in the garden of Eden, around 1,500 years before Jesus was born. Genesis 3:15 foretold the birth of Christ when God told the serpent that even though he would hurt the heel of the One to come, his own head would be crushed. A promise of victory over the sin and death that had slithered into Adam and Eve’s lives. And ours.
And John the Baptist pointed Him out. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) I’m grateful for those in my life who have pointed me to Christ.
We wait now for Him to return. How long will we have to wait? I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it could be any time. Channel surfing the other day I stopped on a program that was telling me that instant travel (“beam me up” stuff”) was just within our reach. I guess when the church is raptured, the world will say we just all went to live somewhere else. Which will actually be true, but not in the way they might think ;)
In the meantime, the darkness we feel is real and it’s strong. The world is full of hate and evil. But believer, be thankful that God “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:12) Hold fast to the Word of God and it’s instructions to us as we wait.
Written about 700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah 9:2 tells us: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” True believers in the past waited for the Light. Simeon rejoiced to see the Savior he had longed for. In Luke 2:32 he called the Child “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
1 John 2:8 tells us that “…the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.” Do you know this One born in a lowly manger so long ago? The One whose birth was announced by prophets and a brilliant star? I pray the Light would shine on your heart this Christmas season and that you might truly know the Messiah. He's not a baby anymore.
No comments have been added yet.
