The reality of the promise

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. -Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

I have been struck this advent season with the idea of living between two advents. As the people of God waited longingly for the fulfillment of the promise of a coming Messiah, I find myself focused, perhaps more than ever before, on the day of His return. To wait well requires hope. Not wishful thinking, not “Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if…”, but real expectation of an anticipated actual event.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. -Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)

Waiting is hard. Ask any kid who’s looking forward to December 25th. It’s especially hard when hope is deferred. We know God is a promise-maker. We know God is a promise-keeper. But the longer the fulfillment is delayed, the more dim the promise becomes. How often did David ask, “How long, LORD?” That’s why we keep reminding one another.

The first Messianic promise came in the garden. Thousands of years passed before that promise came to fruition. What did God’s people do in the meantime? They lived by faith, treating the promise as reality.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth…. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. -Hebrews 11:13, 16b (NIV)

After so many generations, so much of human history, the rise and fall of dynasties, the exile and return of God’s people to their homeland, many hearts had grown cold. But God had preserved a remnant. When the time came for the promise to be fulfilled, God found that remnant still faithfully carrying out their God-given assignments.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. -Luke 1:5-6 (NIV)

And the promise, old and dusty, but not forgotten, soon to be revealed…

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 on him. -Luke 2:25 (NIV)

As we remember and celebrate the fulfillment of that original promise, let’s remind ourselves to live in the reality of the promise to come, believing and trusting and behaving as if the promise spoken is as certain as the promise delivered. Because it is.

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. -John 14:3 (NASB)