Well, I missed posting yesterday and I’m late today, but here you go, if you’re reading these.

December 20, 2014

Luke 1:67-80

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

God always keeps His promises. While this might sound like a pithy, even cliché declaration, it is still truth. Important truth. But consider how long people waited for many of God’s promises to be realized. God told Abraham that he would have a child- and he waited for 25 years before a baby arrived. David was promised the throne of Israel- and waited 15+ terrifying, running-for-his-life years before that promise came through. Even the night of Jesus’ birth announced a promise- “Good news of great joy for all the people”. 33 years would pass before that promise reached it’s fulfillment through a cross—and an and empty tomb.

So whatever you’re waiting for- and we’re all waiting for something- know that you’re in good company. Advent is a poignant reminder of the place longing occupies in the life of God’s people.   Waiting requires patient trust, robust hope, dogged anticipation. And choosing to remember— God always keeps His promises.

What are you waiting on God for these days? What might God be doing in you as you wait?