21 - Advent
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 21 | ANTICIPATION OF HIS COMING
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 21 | ANTICIPATION OF HIS COMING
ANTICIPATION OF HIS COMING
Luke 2:28-32, 38
“And after Jesus was born, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
“Coming up to them at that very moment, [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
How long would you have waited?
We all tend to look forward, but not too far, into the future. We look maybe to our next birthday or coming vacation or something happening… but relatively SOON.
But in the Old Testament, for those saints, they had to look WAY into the future to “see” the coming of the promised Messiah. They had to look beyond their own lifetimes.
In this four-week Advent series, we’ve looked at the Messiah being promised in Genesis, as well as in Isaiah and Micah. All many hundreds of years ahead in their futures.
But closer to the time we have Simeon and Anna. Two more faithful Jews who were waiting and hoping to hear of the prophecies fulfilled or better yet – like their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents – eagerly waiting for God to fulfill what He had promised: to bring forth the Messiah who would bring redemption for Jerusalem!
I wonder if any of us would have hoped and waited that patiently.
And yet our Lord tells us now that He WILL come again… the Second Time. Christmas is just a part of the story.
Prayer: LORD, Thank You that you have this world in your hands. Help each of us who call you Lord to put our faith and trust in YOU and to wait patiently for You to do ALL that You have promised to do. You never fail and I am waiting for You. Amen.
Luke 2:28-32, 38
“And after Jesus was born, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
“Coming up to them at that very moment, [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
How long would you have waited?
We all tend to look forward, but not too far, into the future. We look maybe to our next birthday or coming vacation or something happening… but relatively SOON.
But in the Old Testament, for those saints, they had to look WAY into the future to “see” the coming of the promised Messiah. They had to look beyond their own lifetimes.
In this four-week Advent series, we’ve looked at the Messiah being promised in Genesis, as well as in Isaiah and Micah. All many hundreds of years ahead in their futures.
But closer to the time we have Simeon and Anna. Two more faithful Jews who were waiting and hoping to hear of the prophecies fulfilled or better yet – like their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents – eagerly waiting for God to fulfill what He had promised: to bring forth the Messiah who would bring redemption for Jerusalem!
I wonder if any of us would have hoped and waited that patiently.
And yet our Lord tells us now that He WILL come again… the Second Time. Christmas is just a part of the story.
Prayer: LORD, Thank You that you have this world in your hands. Help each of us who call you Lord to put our faith and trust in YOU and to wait patiently for You to do ALL that You have promised to do. You never fail and I am waiting for You. Amen.