Wednesday, December 16, 2020
WAITING
Scripture Reading: Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 (CEB)
Advent is a time of waiting and preparing to celebrate Christ’s first coming to this world. Waiting is a part of our busy lives yet I don’t think most of us enjoy waiting despite the wonders of the end result!
2020 has been year of waiting for Jon and me. Waiting for my hip surgery, waiting for the quarantine to end, waiting for a vaccine for Covid 19, waiting for Jon’s retirement (he retired Oct. 5!!) and waiting to be able to hug my family and friends again. The list is long for each of you too, I am sure.
So many things seem out of our control. Time during the wait can lead to anxiety, loneliness, frustration and feelings of hopelessness. One thing that I have turned to is the Scriptures which remind me that God is still in control and to lean into the peace that only He can give me. Psalm 40 is one of my favorites. David reminds us where our help comes from.
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
If we fill our hearts with praise and trust in the Lord, it will remind us that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That assurance can help us to wait with expectant hope, faith in who He is, and bring us His peace. Peace of Christ to all this Advent Season.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the reminder that we do not wait alone. Grant us your peace, joy and the certain knowledge that Jesus has come for each and every one of us. In His name, Amen.
Roberta Nelson
