Dear Children of God,
I remember an old advertisement for ketchup. The tagline, “Anticipation”, was accompanied by the early 1970’s Carly Simon hit by the same name. The ad showed a juicy burger, but it wouldn’t be complete without the thick, rich ketchup – which took forever to pour. As you waited, you anticipated the deliciousness to come! But you had to be patient!
“Patience is a virtue” that’s often in short supply. Even the heroes of the Bible – like the Old Testament members of the Hall of Faith, Abraham and Sarah – lacked it! God came to Abraham when he was 75-years old, Sarah was 65, and promised the elderly, yet still childless couple, they’d have a child and start a great nation – more numerous than the stars in the sky and sand on the beach. The decades passed and still, no children. Abraham and Sarah anticipated the birth of a son, the fulfillment of God’s promise, but ran out of patience. So, they turned to Sarah’s servant girl Hagar to help God out. Abraham got Hagar pregnant. She bore a son, Ishmael.
But God reminded Abraham that His covenant was with him and Sarah, “And God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her… and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.’” (Genesis 17:15-16,19) And then, more anticipation – another year passed. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah as promised.
Forty-two generations later, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham was born – Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God (Matthew 1). Today, as we go through the lives God has given us to live here on earth, our anticipation continues – patiently awaiting Jesus’ return. As we wait, let’s heed God’s call to serve Him in joyful anticipation, showing His love to others that they too will join us in eternity on that day.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim