This morning’s devotional is offered by Steve Timberlake. 

Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.”

Growing up on a dairy farm, I learned early on that milking and other chores related to livestock was a daily task, every day, holidays, and even Christmas. My Dad was in charge of the milking, and the rule around Christmas was that until he finished the milking and made it back to the house, there would be no Santa, no gifts, no peeking into the living room. Needless to say, no one had to tell me to go out to the barn and help so Dad could get to the house a bit sooner. That was my childhood experience of waiting for Christmas. Perhaps I learned the lesson that given time, Christmas would come and I would appreciate it all the more.

I believe that I am still waiting for Christmas. That is, waiting and trusting in a loving God knowing that I am very blessed. I enjoy the Advent season, and wait for Christmas now with a faith based belief that the Christ born on Christmas lived, died and has arisen that we might have everlasting life. The Christmas we can all wait for is peace and assurance knowing Christ walks with and ahead of us daily. God gave His Son to pay for our sins. With a gift like that, how can we not endure waiting? Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sin of many people and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him”. Now please don’t hear me say that waiting can be easy or pleasant. Many among us are waiting through painful circumstances in life. I pray that the Holy Spirit brings healing, comfort and peace to each of these.Perhaps the waiting that we experience can be a bit easier as we trust and lean upon Jesus, knowing He loves us and the Holy Spirit waits with us.

Thank you Heavenly Father for loving us and knowing each of our needs, even before they exist. Hold us close through the waiting in our lives. I ask for peace and healing as only You can give. In Jesus Name, Amen.