I think I’m correct to say that none of us particularly likes to wait! And yet, how often we are forced to do so...and encouraged by God to do so, patiently and expectantly. Psalm 40:1 being one example:
“I
waited patiently for the LORD;
He inclined to me
and heard my cry.”
As we are now into the Christmas season, the old hymn written by Charles Wesley, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” comes to mind.
- Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart. - Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
Christ’s first coming seemed painfully delayed to those who eagerly anticipated it, but He came at just the right time...and He will return again...in God’s time! Wait!
All of us who earnestly pray for urgent needs, our own and those of others, especially unsaved loved ones, know that God’s answers are often not immediate; we must wait in perseverance.
Although I enjoy my connections with the Filipino community, I would be grateful for someone younger to help. Pray for God’s will. At times, as is true for you and your ministries, it seems that nothing eternal is happening. But this month, God gave me two encouraging glimpses of Him at work.
Two Filipino newcomers spontaneously asked to join me for not one, but two Christmas programs in local churches on the same day. For at least one of them, it was the first time to enter a Protestant church!
Yesterday, after baking carrot cake cupcakes, I read from Luke 2 with two Filipino children. For one of them, born in Dubai, the Christmas story seemed brand new.
Don't you love how the nations are also represented in this old hymn/Christmas carol - “hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.” Philippines, Africa, North America...all of His children long for Him!
