Author: Kristine Lee (Social Media and Digital Officer)
Silence in our day and age is a rare encounter. When we go camping, we are so happy to be out of range of mobile coverage!
Yet it’s so hard to wait in silence for God. My busy mind starts drifting. “I’ll do this then that. I have not rung my mum. This is not working…” The list goes on. Agree?
From the time of the Old Testament, the Israelites were told about a Messiah by the prophets, the most notable being Isaiah. And then there was silence of about 600 years before the New Testament.
Under the oppressive regime of the Romans it must have been so tough to wait, in silence.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12
The news of Jesus’ birth brought fresh hope for those who were waiting.
It has been, and continues to be, a tough season of waiting for many, including myself. Really tough.
But however hard it is for us to wait, I always picture God waiting even more zealously because His love for us is so much more intense.
From the time that Adam and Eve sinned, He has been waiting to be reunited with us. He has been waiting for when we are no longer slaves to sin. He too had been waiting for the moment of Jesus’ incarnation on earth, that set in quick succession, our rescue plan.
Ok, so a day is like a thousand years to God. (2 Peter 3:8) And God is incredibly long suffering. But that does not mean He did not long for our reunion greatly as He waited.
This is why Jesus could endure the cross. “For the joy that was set before Him”. (Hebrews 12:2)
As Charles Spurgeon said,
“We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us.”
We are blessed not to have to wait for our Messiah. We now know the full story. But there are many who still do not. So I have been commissioned to share the Good News just as the angel did.
And even for myself, I need this hope to be birthed again and again in my heart. Every day, every hour, every second, as I look to my Messiah. As I look to His coming, I know God’s promises are Aye and Amen. It may take a little while, but God is never late.
So I wait in eager hope. Because God is waiting with me. Because God is with me in my waiting.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to earth to be with us, and die for us so that we can be reunited with You. Jesus’ birth gave the Israelites so much hope and He continues to bring eternal hope today. Thank You for loving us so much.
It is so hard to wait, and You know too because You too have waited. Please grant me and others reading this Your sustaining grace and joy as we wait, trusting You have the best plans for each of us, and Your timing is always perfect. Encourage us and keep us focused on Jesus, so hope can be birthed in our hearts again and again.
Help us also to always be ready to share the hope that we have in us.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray.
Reflect & Respond:
- What have you been waiting for? How can you be encouraged knowing God is with you in your waiting?
- Is there someone God is bringing to mind to share the true hope in Jesus this Christmas?
- If you would like prayer or direct someone to find out more about Jesus, check out this page on Vision Christian Media’s website.
About the author: Kristine Lee a.k.a. Jin Pyn Lee is an author, writer, aspiring filmmaker, dreamer, motorcycle rider and fulltime Christian. That just means she shares the love of her life Jesus wherever and whenever. In her eulogy, she would simply like to be known as someone God loves. Connect with Kristine on www.jinpynlee.com
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