It Is Worth The Wait

It Is Worth the Wait

It has been an awesome week. With all the things I have to get done I am making better use of my time. I am not there yet, I am however at least thinking about managing my time better.

I love it when those steeped in religion get a little upset about my take on the Gospel. With a very humble heart, I am reminded of the way the followers of religion treated Jesus.

He loved and respected all the people. He ministered to the poor and afflicted, along with the elite Jews and the Roman centurion. The diseased and the healthy.

He is truly no respecter of persons.

I want to begin with a familiar story found in Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:27-31

27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

The first couple of scriptures is a complaint. Where is God? Why is it taking so long?

Then the prophet begins to talk about the strength and faithfulness of God. He reminds us that we grow weary but God does not.

Then there is verse 31.

Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

The word wait from the Hebrew means, “look for, hope, expect, wait or look eagerly for.”

The word gain, or renew in the KJV means, “to pass through, go through, grow up, and change.”

These few passages tell a story.

“They represent the collision of an unwearied God, and a fainting man.”

Paul shared in one verse a similar message to the Corinthian Church.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

God is always working. “Don’t lose heart.”

As Jesus was about to ascend He left this command.

Acts 1:4

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me.

The word wait from the Greek simply means, to wait for.

It is believed that they waited approx. 10 days in the upper room. In prayer before the fire of the Holy Spirit fell on them, and filled them.

“The things of God are worth waiting for.”

Luke 2:25-32

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

In study I found some things about Simeon that interested me. His Father, Hillel, was a great Jewish scholar who founded the school of interpretation of the Law.

It is believed that Simeon had a son named Gamaliel who was the scholar who taught Paul the Law. In the middle of two renown students and teachers of the Law, a man who knew the law very well Himself. This Simeon, was looking for the Messiah.

This was not unusual. Every Jew wanted to see the Messiah. In fact, in the Jews daily prayers they prayed this. “May I see the consolation of Israel.”

The word see, from the Greek has several meanings. “To have sight, to look down, to look up, to see clearly.”

Luke 2:25 NASB

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Consolation means, “a calling near, exhortation, supplication, entreaty.”

Rabbis of the day used the word to define Messianic Salvation. They called the Messiah, the consoler, and the comforter.

The word looking, or waiting in the KJV is translated from the Greek word, pros-dekh’-om-ahee.

It means, to receive to one’s self, to admit in, to give access to one’s self. Used to expect: the fulfillment of promise.

All the Jews wanted to see Him. Few of them wanted to receive Him, embrace Him.

Verse 27 says that Simeon came in the Spirit to the Temple.

Even then God was directing those who wanted more than just to see Him. Simeon wanted to embrace Him.

I don’t want to just see Him.

I am looking for Him. Trusting in Him. Believing in His promises.

Have an amazing week. Blessed in the Spirit and favor of God.

#lovewins #hopelives