Promises… that’s all they were. For thousands of years we waited, expecting, doubting, longing, praying, wondering… then it happened. Jesus was here! This was “the acceptable year”: God’s ordained time to fulfill His promise. Strange... but, even then it didn’t seem like we were ready.
In some ways God’s timetable always mystifies us. He created the world in six days, then took thousands of years to fulfill His greatest promise to those he created: sending a Savior. But this, I suppose, is what faith is all about. If God did everything as we expect we would never learn to trust beyond our sight, experience, and reason.
God's promises will all be fulfilled, just as this one was: on His schedule. Some folks, those inclined to impatience, always focus on the schedule, and the time between now and then. I have friends who count every mile between here and there. That kind of tedious impatience wears a person down. I find it much more fulfilling to focus on the promise. My destination. I know it will happen. I will get there. The more I focus on the promise the greater the anticipation, and a peculiar kind of joy or excitement seems to permeate my soul.
Through the years I've grown accustomed to the anticipation of our time away. Just Carol and me. Carol plans great getaways for us. I can see it in my mind for weeks before we depart. And when we are finally there walking hand in hand through some rain forest, or on a golden beach, I look back to see our footprints, the evidence we are really here... together. Most of the time the experience is even better than I imagined.
I can see it now: my first step on the new earth. That first glorious footprint! Evidence I am really here. He planned it, and brought me there at just the right time. Waiting is no problem when I know I will be there! And I do know. I know because Jesus did all the work to get me there in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection, and has promised to keep me safe on the journey. Romans 8
Reading this was a great way to start my morning. Thank you
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