Waiting for a future I cannot see
You know the feeling? After a while down in a rut, you feel like things are going to be ok? Better than ok? Things are going to be fantastic.
I've had a tough couple of weeks, busy couple of weeks, stressful couple of weeks. I've been home alone, felt like a failure in my studies and feeling emotionally vulnerable. And so I sought the Lord in prayer. I prayed to be closer to him, to have more hope in the future that I could not see. I sought guidance.
And I was reminded that he would never leave or forsake me, that when I pray, I should not doubt. On my walk, I just couldnt' stop praising and singing. I'm sure my fellow early rises thought I was crazy, but sometimes, you just can't contain the joy and you have to sing and shout about the Lord's great love and compassion!
Again, my daily devotion has lead me to Luke. The first two chapters of Luke talk about people who were waiting. They weren't just waiting for the fulfilment of something they had not seen, they were active in their faith in the unseen.
- Zechariah was serving while waiting for a future he could not see, but he believed to exist. He asked for assurance and was given a sign- that he would not be able to speak until the child was born.
- Mary was engaged while waiting for a future that was beyond her understanding. She asked for assurance and was provided with a sign- even her aged relatives were with children.
- Simeon was living a righteous and devout life while waiting for a future he could not see. He was given specific guidance about when and where he would meet the saviour king.
- Anna worshipped even though she was a lonely widow waiting for a future she could not see. And she was given hope when she saw the child would was to redeem Jerusalem.
All these people are examples unto us. They show us that we can prepare ourselves for a future we cannot see.
Luke 2
New International Version (NIV)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Christmas song # 8
