We’ve now been back from our travels for two weeks. The trailer is unpacked and ready to sit through the colder months. Christmas decorations are out – except for the lighted wire snowman who has seen his last Christmas – and presents are wrapped. And best of all, there seems to be a sense of peace all through our home. I was talking to my wife last night about how God might be leading our family. We really have no idea what our life will look like in a few months; but, at least right now, we’re content to wait and continue to do the things we know we have already been given to do.
Why is waiting so difficult? I’ve been thinking about this question and realized that one of the reasons is our “get-it-now” society. I have some good friends in Kenya who live in a much more relaxed and patient world, but most of us are taught from birth the science of immediate gratification. We want, we get; we want some more, we get some more. Accomplishment is defined by running and spinning; but, from what I can see, the result is usually just a spinning out of control.
I’m not sure what caused our world to become so fast paced, but I know it hasn’t always been this way. There was a time long ago when people truly knew how to wait on the Lord.
Joseph and Mary were devout Jews who followed the laws of Moses. Therefore, forty days after Jesus was born they “took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). This was done in recognition of God’s command, “The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me” (Exodus 13:2). They also offered a sacrifice as a burnt offering and sin offering, “a pair of doves and two young pigeons” (Luke 2:24).
This was the process all Jews followed when a child was born. But when Joseph and Mary entered the temple court, holding the baby Jesus, something stirred in a man called Simeon.
Luke 2:25-26
“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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
Simeon approach Joseph and Mary, held Jesus and gave a wonderful praise and prophesy. But let’s not miss what was said about this man called Simeon. He was devoted to God, and he was waiting. How long was he willing to wait? Well, the only time frame he was given was that he would have his answer sometime before he died. He did not know if this would mean days, months, or many years, but he was willing to wait.
We need to regain this ability, this trust which is content to wait for God’s direction. The promises of God are that He will reveal His direction, He will lead, comfort, and “renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31), but we must be willing to wait and continue to do what we know we have already been given to do. During this Christmas season, let’s renew our trust in the God who has so perfectly revealed Himself through the birth of Jesus. Let’s commit to following Him all our days and be determined to trust Him through a lifetime of waiting.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
