Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Daily Grace - Believing in Advance



In a German prison camp in World War 2, undiscovered by the guards, some Americans built a homemade radio. One day news came that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war. Because of a communications breakdown, however, the guards did not yet know this. As word spread among the prisoners, a loud celebration broke out. For 3 days, they sang, waved at guards, and shared jokes over meals. On the fourth day, they awoke to find that all the Germans had fled. Their waiting had come to an end.

A number of Bible stories center on waiting: Abraham waiting for a child (Gen. 12-21). The Israelites waiting for deliverance from Egypt. Prophets waiting for the fulfillment of their own predictions. The disciples waiting for Jesus to act like the powerful Messiah they anticipated. Jesus' final words at the end of Revelation are "I am coming quickly", followed by an urgent, echoing prayer, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (2:20). For this, we still wait.

Here's the question I ask myself: As we wait, why are we so often fearful and anxious? We can, like the Allied prisoners, act on the good news we say we believe. What is faith in God, after all, but believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse? Waiting tries our faith and so we wait in hope.

5 comments:

  1. Amen. Give me the strength not to give up but wait for your coming. Amen

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  2. Holy Spirit help us to stand firm in faith as we wait for the coming of Jesus. Amen 🙏

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  3. Jesus give strength and my family to continue to keep our heart and mind on you only and wait for that day when you come back for your people.... In Jesus name AMEN

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