Waiting. It can be difficult – especially in our microwave, high-speed Internet, fast food, drive-thru society. Ordinary, inconsequential things are hard enough to wait for, but some of you are waiting for bigger things – a diagnosis, a job to come through, a baby to be conceived, acceptance into a college, resolution of a conflict, God’s timing, and more. In these cases, waiting is exasperating, problematic, and exhausting. But I would like to suggest to you that God is in the waiting and as hard as it is, some things are definitely worth waiting for. This is especially true with the baby in the manger.
The baby, Jesus Christ, was first promised to the world in the third chapter of the Bible – back at the beginning of time. He was God’s response to a desperate need. In the moments following Adam and Eve’s rebellion, their reality changed. God’s intended life for them was altered. Severe consequences slammed into their existence because God is a just God. Life without suffering and death vanished. The fellowship they had enjoyed with God was shattered. They had a big dilemma. They needed reconciliation with God and they needed to be rescued from the eternal consequences of sin and rebellion. It was a problem they were not able to solve for themselves. As they reeled from their mistake, God made a promise in that third chapter of Genesis. He would send a Messiah to pay the price for mankind’s rebellious ways and redeem mankind from the eternal consequences of his/her wrongdoings. The pages of history that unfold in the Old Testament reveal a long period of waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.
But God was in the waiting as generation after generation failed, faltered, betrayed, slandered, rejected and neglected God. He was there as they broke his heart by chasing after false gods and worldly pleasures that could never give them the security, satisfaction, and fulfillment he offered. He was there as they suffered the consequences of their own actions. He was in their captivity as other nations conquered and oppressed them. He was there listening as they cried out to him for help. He was there protecting, rescuing, and fighting for them. He was there giving them second chances. He was there showing them his just nature, his sovereignty, his compassionate and loving heart, and his constant faithfulness. In the waiting, he was accomplishing something very important. He was preparing their hearts for the Messiah he had promised. He showed them their desperate need for a Savior, gave them hope through prophecies pointing to the arrival of Messiah, and he graciously “painted” illustrations of Jesus all through the Old Testament so his people would recognize Jesus when he arrived. As God prepared their hearts, they developed a hope-filled hunger and expectancy as they awaited their Savior.
As much as we’d like to avoid it, there is value in the waiting. It elevates our character and intensifies our appreciation for the diagnosis, the job offer, the college acceptance, the baby, the resolution, and the gift when it comes. Yes, God is in the waiting. He meets us there to strengthen us, develop us, grow us, and demonstrate himself to us as he prepares our hearts for all he has in store for us.
As we move toward the celebration of the birth of the One God promised so long ago – the one who solved mankind’s dilemma and restored man’s relationship with God – let’s cling to God in the waiting. Let’s allow him to rework and prepare our hearts so that we develop an eager anticipation and appreciation for his great gift – Jesus Christ, the Holy One who came to search for and save those who are brokenhearted, damaged, and have wandered away from God.
God is in the waiting. I pray you experience sweet companionship with him there. Let us know if we can pray for you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on his shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
