“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5
When we hear the word advent, what comes to mind?
One word that is always associated with advent is coming.
For the church, it’s a season observed as a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth or coming of Jesus.
When I was a child, I always looked forward to celebrating Christmas. In my young and innocent heart, there’s something in this season that made me feel hopeful. At that time, I didn’t have world-changing wishes or hopes.
I had a simple one: that my Dad would come home and spend that special day with us.
It was a time of the year that I had always waited for excitedly. It was a season of hope for me. Every year, I would wait and expect that this could be the time, but it didn’t happen until two years ago. I was already an adult.
Still, my long wait was over! My hope was finally realized.
I wonder what the shepherds on the night of the first Christmas must have felt when the Good News was announced to them, by no less than a throng of angels! History tells us that at the time, the nation of Israel was under the rule of the Roman Empire. The Israelites had been waiting for the time of their deliverance; anticipating the coming of the Messiah.
Imagine the joy and hope that this good news brought to the shepherds! The long wait was over!
A Savior, their Savior was born! In the darkest days of their history, the brightest message of hope shone like that of the star that guided and led them to the manger.
Waiting is not easy, especially when what you’re waiting for is taking too long to come.
The psalmist in Psalm 130:5-6 said:
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”
He must have felt weary sometimes, but he didn’t give up. What did he do, instead?
- He put his hope/”hoped” in God’s word, knowing that He who promised is faithful that the Lord will come and will deliver His people.
- He “hoped” whole-heartedly. His mind, strength and heart were focused on Him. His whole being waited on the Lord.
- He “hoped” expectantly. Like the watchmen waiting for the morning because they believed that morning would indeed come. The psalmist was hopeful that the Lord would redeem His people.
Maybe you are waiting for something or even someone and you have been in that situation for a long time now.
Remain hopeful.
As Jesus came on that cold and dreary night, which brought a message of hope and salvation to the shepherds and the world, that someone or something that you’ve been waiting for is coming. The long wait will soon be over and your hope will be realized.
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