It has been a year filled with many thrills and spills, ups and downs, highs and lows… whatever combination one could tag to the year that has gone, one thing is definite … a lot happened. To all of it, there were lessons to be learned and lesson to be relearned.
Today being the last day of the year 2008, it’s time to pause, reflect on the year that has been and the year that could have been. Yes, there were probably some things we set out to do, but did not accomplish (maybe due to one reason or another). But instead of ruing over missed opportunities, it’s vitally important that we take good stock and reevaluate. If there is something the Lord wants us to do, let us not delay.
As for me at the close of 2008, I’m reminded to be thankful to the Lord for all that has transpired throughout the year. The new year stands before me, new challenges on the home front, the job front and also in ministry. I can only pray that I will draw nearer to Him for grace and strength for every step of the coming way. I pray for consistency in my walk with the Lord so that I will be found faithful in Him.
Recently over the past month of December, as I was preparing some thoughts on the Lord’s servant Simeon in Luke 2, i was led to think about what it means for a believer to live in expectancy of His master’s return. It was summed up in the word “waiting”.3 thoughts came to my mind on the word “wait” and i thought I’d just share it here as it may be edifying.
Firstly, the believer is called to wait upon the Lord, meaning to trust the Lord for his very sustenance and strength as Isaiah 40:31 puts it “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. “ This is the unguarded secret God has given us to true spiritual vitality. Though it’s very possible to go very far by mere human strength, we are reminded that youthful energy will sap and fail. Such efforts will fail, not merely in the end result, but ultimately in it’s sustainability. God’s word assures us that it is to those who are supplied by power from on high that will soar above…not sour, they’ll walk … not wilt. Thus, we are called to look to Him, to wait upon the Lord.
Secondly, to wait is to have the attitude of patient watching. We know not the day or the hour when our Lord Jesus Christ will come for His people, but we certainly want to be ready for it. We are exhorted in James 5:7-8 to “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” 3 times we have the word patient or patience is used with regards to us watching. I think Paul’s trying to reinforce something to us. It’s only the evil servant says “my Lord delayeth his coming” (Matt 24:48) whilst the faithful and watching servant remembers His Lord’s words “Surely I come quickly.” and says “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20). Let us be found patiently waiting.
Finally, as we wait for the Lord we show our love for Him. Isaiah 64:4 reads “For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Later on in the NT, as Paul quotes the Isaiah passage, we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” God has prepared, he has blessing in store for those who love him and show that devotion in their waiting for him. And so, it is those who wait for Him who love him, just as much as show that those who love Him would want to be found waiting for Him. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ties these 2 elements of love and waiting together “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
Dear believer, as we usher in a new year may this be an encouragement to our hearts to be found patiently waiting for Jesus Christ’ sure and imminent return. My new year prayer for you is found below in verse 21, the last words of holy writ recorded in revelation of which i alluded to earlier). As we patiently wait for Him, we most certainly need to live by grace.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Here’s wishing you a very blessed 2009.
Sincerely,
Antioch Agent
Many years ago, while having a chat with my elder in Melbourne he reminded me of the words of a proverb. I’ve already kind of forgotten the actual event and context in which it was said, but the words have been emblazoned in my memory since. Isn’t it interesting how sometimes an appropriate verse or a word at the right time sticks with you for a long long time? Words uttered (whether good or bad) may have long forgotten by ones who spoke them, but at times it doesn’t leave the mind of the ones who were on the receiving end of it.
Antioch Agent 
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