Anticipation

Today we are invited to live in the joy and strength of anticipation – focusing on things on earth around us through the lens of things eternal.  It’s not an escapist view but rather a view that really puts things in proper perspective. 

Troubles don’t last forever.  God has solutions that will give us joy and strength for the journey today and peace and blessing with Him forever in eternity.

This is how early believers in Jesus were taught to find strength and joy in the middle of tough times of persecution. 

Hundreds of years before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem as the Saviour of the world, God sent a message about the promised Messiah through the prophet Isaiah that people held onto generation after generation.  You’ve probably heard the familiar words:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Jesus did come at just the time God planned.  He did live to show the deep love of our Heavenly Father for us.  He did die in our place to pay the unpayable debt that our sins had racked up.  And he did give us this wonderful hope to keep in mind as we go through life, each with our own challenges and troubles.

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  John 14:1-3

Lord, we find ourselves today in this in between place between all that You accomplished for us by coming to earth and dying for us, rising again to new life, and ascending into heaven to prepare a place for us and yet not yet having returned to take us to that wonderful place You are preparing for us. 

We pray today to have the correct response to the waiting we are doing until You come again and make everything new.  Help us to live in faith that You are working out Your purposes in just the right way and You will fulfill them at just the right time. 

Help us to look at times here on earth through the lens of eternity and heaven.  Make us watchful, useful, hopeful, trusting, and most of all, those who are filled with love for You for all You have done and are doing. Amen