Wednesday, December 3, 2014

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas - Day 4

ADVENT:  Day Four:  “Waiting for the LORD”
Scripture:  “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to GOD must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

One of my vivid memories of Christmas when I was a young boy was counting the days down until Christmas Eve.  I used to think it would never arrive!  The waiting was excruciatingly painful.  For some reason, now that I’m much older, that doesn’t seem to be a problem.  Time seems to fly by so quickly.

“Waiting for the LORD” can also be excruciatingly painful and difficult.  We expect everything to be at our fingertips the moment we have a desire for whatever “it” might be.  We live in a world of downloads, high-speed internet, on demand, and microwave cooking.  We thought all of our modern technology would give us more free time but in reality, the time we have “saved” has been quickly filled by more stuff to do.  It’s a rat race . . . truly living life in the fast lane.  Life is passing us by in the midst of our business.

We often carry those expectations over to our faith experience.  We often make demands on GOD to act in our time frame . . . certainly not in His.  But GOD doesn’t bow to our expectations or our demands. 

Hebrews 11:13 is a powerful scripture.  The list of people who lived in great faith “all died in faith, without receiving the promises . . . .”  Christmas is GOD’s declaration to all the world of His love for us.  Christmas is GOD’s assurance that He is in control.  Christmas is a reminder from GOD that His promises are true and that He will never forsake us. 

Faith is an act of “waiting for the LORD” and resting in His sovereignty . . . living life in this world from His perspective . . . living life from Heaven’s view.  It’s not easy but it is the only way to know peace, joy, and hope.

During this season of Advent “be diligent to enter into His rest” (Hebrews 4:11) and believe fully in the promise of GOD fulfilled in the coming of the baby JESUS.  Wait . . . rest . . . trust . . . and know His Peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard Holloman

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