"Waiting For ... ?"
Monday - ... His Son from Heaven
Philippians 3:20
The Son is the desired reward for our waiting. We are not waiting for death (it will surely come), we are not waiting for the Holy Spirit (He has already come), nor are we waiting for the conversion of the world (as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days when the Son of Man is revealed). Having embraced the salvation provided by His death, we await the triumphant return of our Savior. We look to the heavens and expect the promise to be fulfilled just as Jesus promised at His departure. Is this what you are waiting for?
Father, I strive to live, as I look to heaven, in a manner that is pleasing to You. Please allow me to experience the fulfilling of the promises of my Savior. In His name, Amen
Tuesday - ... Completion of Our Salvation
Hebrews 9:28
We have, at this time, been saved from the penalty and power of sin, but not from its presence. Suffering and sorrow are still associated with our present condition, therefore, our salvation now, great as it is, is but a foretaste of what is yet to come. When Christ appears, the second time, He will make our salvation complete and eternal. As we understand the magnitude and the joy of total salvation, we are able to wait for Him with an attitude of love and patience. Can the completion come too soon?
Father, knowing the outcome of the wait does not make the wait easier. It causes the excitement to build, and the need to be steadfast more obvious. Strengthen my resolve to hold out. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Wednesday - ... Redemption of the Body
Philippians 3:20-21
Much to do is made regarding the body in this realm. We understand spiritual redemption, but, many times, over physical redemption. Have you noticed the amount of energy expended to make the body, the temporal, exciting and beautiful? Have you taken note of the fear we have of losing certain aspects of the body? Have we forgotten that the Bible promises that the body will be redeemed as well? We wait for a transfigured soul, with a transfigured body. It has been good to hear His Word; it will be better to see Him, but even better, to be made like Him. This is eternal life.
Father, the Rapture is more than a fantasy, but a wanted reality for those of us who believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Thursday - ... the Bridegroom of the Church
Matthew 25:6
Have you truly considered your relationship with Christ? Really??? We, the Church, are His Bride, and that makes Him the Bridegroom. The Bridegroom is perfect, loving, longsuffering, and true, while the Bride is cold hearted, and not really longing for His return in a loving way. We desire to wait for Him, but have become so preoccupied with temporal things that He is, many times, overshadowed by lesser concerns. The cry is for us to keep our lamps trimmed and burning Have you been faithful in this regard? Are you "really" looking for His return? Tend your lamp, ... today!!
Father, help me to see my true condition and make any changes necessary. I want to be ready when He calls me. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Friday - ... Consolation of Israel
Luke 2:25
As contemporary believers, we must be aware of the fact that Israel has not embraced the work of our Jesus. They not only rejected Him, but clamored for His crucifixion. Their thinking was that they did not want "this man" reigning over them, they hated Him and remain unconsoled. With this still a reality, we see in Scripture that God fully intends for Israel to benefit from His Son. Romans 11:26 points toward this fact. A saved Israel will mean world-wide testimony and blessing.
Father, it comforts me to know that Your desire is to save all who desire to be Your children. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Saturday - ... Our Reward at His Coming
Luke 12:36
It is important to remain prepared at all times as we travel toward our reward. Idleness cannot become a trait, we must be girded with lights burning, all the time looking for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. In His Word Jesus has promised to return with reward in hand, to give to every man according to that man’s works. For this cause we cannot sleep, as others do, but rather we must watch and remain sober (I Thess. 5:6). Jesus is returning with our reward, but He has not told us when. Our’s is to get ready, stay ready, and move out on command.
Father, lead me to a better understanding of my tasks as I live in this world. My desire is to be pleasing to You and to my Savior. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Sunday - ... the New Heaven and the New Earth
2 Peter 3:13
A huge part of our waiting surrounds the fact that the heaven and earth that we know have been soiled and tainted by the ravages of sin. Satan tainted heaven with his sin of pride and self elevation, and the fall of Adam and Eve tainted the earth. Jerusalem has been the sight of much depravity over the centuries and God has promised a testing fire that will purify that which is, and make way for the new. The new heavens and the new earth will be made suitable for the new creatures we will become in the Rapture. There will be no place for sickness, death, and pain. There will ne need for crying and fretting. Perfection will be the condition of the day and then throughout eternity. It becomes our task to not fall behind in this gift, this blessed act, of waiting for the Coming (I Cor. 1:7). Please note that waiting is an active endeavor. No sitting and hoping, stand around wishing, but a act of engaging in those things for which we have been gifted. We must increase the number of "waiters." How will you go about this task?
Father, I thank You for the privilege of waiting for my Savior. I thank You for all You have put in place for me. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen
Resources