WAITING FOR GOD

Author Henri Nouwen has observed that the first pages of Luke's gospel are filled with people who were waiting: Zacharias and Elisabeth, 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, for example, was controlled not by hopelessness but by the Spirit who prompted him to go into the temple. His words of praise when he saw the child Jesus, the promised Messiah, resound as an example of patient hope in God: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of they 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 "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:13
His word comes to us, just as it did to those who were swept up in the events that marked the first Christmas: "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." Luke 1:30
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10
As we listen to God in His Word and obey Him, we'll discover His goodness and power as we wait. Remember this: "Time spent waiting on God is never wasted."