Theme:  Hopeful Expectancy

Read: James 5: 7-11

Think: As Pastor Rick talked about waiting on God last weekend that certainly was a topic we all could identify with. God's faithful to keep His promises and His timing is always right - we can trust that - but its is so incredibly difficult in the season we are left to wait...

Author Henri Nouwen talks about how the first pages of Luke’s Gospel are filled with people who were waiting: Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God. But instead of passively waiting, they were actively looking to the Lord each day, what Nouwen calls being “present to the moment.”

Simeon, the example we heard much about during the weekend message, was controlled not by hopelessness but by the Holy Spirit who prompted him to go into the temple. His words of praise when he saw the baby Jesus, the promised Messiah, are an example of patient hope in God: “My eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).

Many of us find ourselves waiting on God for an answer to a prayer or the fulfillment of a promise. His word comes to us, just as it did to those who were swept up in the events that marked Jesus long-awaited arrival: “Do not be afraid, Zacharias” (1:13); “Do not be afraid, Mary” (1:30); “Do not be afraid, [shepherds]” (2:10).

As we listen to God in His Word and obey Him, we’ll discover His goodness and power as we wait.

Do: The next message series is called Not Afraid. I don't know what the topics will be but I do know in the seasons where we wait on God, fear rears its ugly head undermining our faith and trust in the Lord. What fears are causing you to doubt God and His promises? Ask Him to help you trust Him and build your faith as you wait patiently on HIM.

Pray: Father, I wait on You because I know I can trust You -  Forgive me for the times that I give into fear, or when I begin to lose faith. I know You are faithful in your promises, what You say is true and I can trust you completely. So I move forward today with You and in full surrender to Your ways and to Your will. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.