Volume 157: Rest in Beginning of Advent

Throughout all the Old Testament, we see people WAITING for the Messiah. Through all the judges and kings and exile and wars, there always remained a need for a good, perfect King. 

And after 400 years of silence, there came the cry of a baby - God with us. God in human flesh. 

Now, over 2,000 years since His birth and life, we are back in waiting - giving space in this advent season to remember that Jesus is coming again! 

Waiting.

These days, we are not very good at waiting... we get immediate answers from our phones, move to the fastest lanes, eat fast food, quiet quit jobs, etc. We tend to think our happiness is what matters most, but God cares about our holiness. He knows exactly what He's doing. We just need to WAIT on Him. 

Yet, sometimes, it's hard to know the line of waiting in obedience vs. being passive/lazy. 

So, in this season of advent, I am focusing on WAITING. And learning to TRUST GOD in the seasons of waiting and longing. Whether for a baby, for a husband's job, for a relationship, for a home, etc. 

In these seasons of waiting, would you, O God, remind us that we are ultimately always in a season of longing - for your return and our eternal home. This is not forever. But while we are here, I pray for peace and assurance of your works in these specific seasons. Help us to be people who can wait and trust you. 

Advent Day 2 - PDT - "So much of our fear, discouragement, anxiety and worry is the result of underestimating what God is willing and able to do. There is NOTHING that God has promised to do or that we need him to do that he is unable to do. Nothing."

Father, you are able to do anything and yet you sent your Son to be born of a virgin, in a manger. What grand, loving humility! Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the miracles of birth - Sarah and Hannah and Mary. Nothing is impossible for you. 

Advent Day 3 - PDT - "We compare our natural gifts and abilities to the size of the task, to gauge whether we are capable of doing what God has called us to." 

"He calls weak and broken people to do huge and important things because he is able." 

"I love this picture of the patience of the Lord, working to take Moses's eyes off himself and onto the majestic power of His God."

Where in my life am I focused on myself? Rather than the majestic power of my God?

Reveal to me these areas, O God. And help me to truly believe your power and abilities and that you delight to work in and through me. I'm naturally inclined to respond as Moses - please send someone else! But I pray you give me the awareness and understand that you are with me and you never call us without equipping us. 

Moses didn't initially want his calling... And then, he didn't even get to see the Promised Land...

But man, God used Him!!!