Wait for the Promise: Behold, He comes!
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel… In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jer 33:14-15)
- In the news:
- Besigye arrest
- Bulambuli landslide disaster
- BoU Hacking
- World AIDS Day
- Namibia elections (waiting for results)
- Advent Wreath and Candles [In Chaplain’s Word next Sunday]
- 1-Hope/Prophets,
- 2-Love/Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, love story, Journey to Bethlehem
- 3-Joy/Shepheds, good news of great joy
- 4- Peace/Angel, ‘peace on earth’
- 5- Salvation/Christ – unto us a child is born…
Have you ever been given a seat to wait before you see that officer? Waiting is one of the difficult tasks, and if you often go to some high offices, it is important to learn the art without wasting time or becoming irritated, or even giving up prematurely. Some people will carry a book to read, or these days music or games on the phone or iPod, while others depend on the abundant social media to pass time, or the newspapers or magazines they find in the waiting area. One thing we all have to be sure of is that you need to wait at one time or another. Do you have the grace of waiting? Today’s message aims at lowering your pressure and anxiety and lifting you in patience and the grace of waiting, especially for the sure promises of God.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord! It is Advent Sunday today – we remember the times of waiting for the Messiah (the first Advent): Simeon was waiting, Anna was waiting, the oppressed Jews were waiting, John the Baptist announced and was also waiting, and Jesus Christ appeared – the Messiah. And we look forward to His return in glory (the second Advent); are you waiting? All signs are showing that your redemption is drawing near indeed. The coming of Jesus Christ was also boldly announced using many prophets, who looked forward to the glorious golden age comparable to but surpassing that of King David.
Prominent: Is 9:6-7 A child is born, Is 7:14 Virgin birth, Micah 5:2 Bethlehem, Is 53:2 Humble and suffering, Is 40:3-5 Prepare the way
Not Prominent: Num 24:17 Star Mystery, Jer 31:5 Persecuted from birth, Hosea 11:1 in Egypt, Ps 2:7 Son of God, Deut 18:15 Prophet
Prophet Jeremiah represents them as he writes: ‘I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up from David’.
Waiting for the Messiah means living your life before God, honouring His Word and demands, in righteousness as one that will receive the righteous Branch. What causes people to give up the wait? The devil who is a deceiver does not want you to get to that time of fellowship with God in the golden age under the reign of the Messiah; so, he dangles appetizing carrots that seem to give quick satisfaction, but little do we know that those carrots are actually poisoned!
Overcome that impatience – the desire to get the best sooner.
In our pursuit for wealth, power, promotion, pleasure, marriage, children, or whatever you badly desire, beware of the poisoned chalice, beware of the lethal carrot.
When the Messiah appears, you will get more than you even think or ever desire. The Psalmist leads in a prayer that we all need to pray: ‘Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame... May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.’ (Ps 25:3,21).
God bless you all.