Here’s today’s:

December 4, 2014

Genesis 15:1-6

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Ever felt like you’ve been in the “waiting room” for way too long? Longing for a trial to end, a relationship to mend, a promise to be fulfilled? Consider Abraham — he waited over 25 years for God to fulfill His promise to give him a child! Abraham didn’t wait perfectly (see the account of Hagar and Ishmael?) but he did continue to trust God. He believed what God had said, God would do. And Abraham serves as an example for us, here and now. To continue to believe- even when it looks impossible, what God has said, God will do. Advent invites us to trust. To watch with expectancy, believing that God will keep His promises.

Where in your life are you currently in “the waiting room”? How is God asking you to continue to trust Him in this time? What promises of His do you need to cling to?

For Families:

What’s hard about waiting? Why can it be good to wait sometimes?