Look Forward, to the LORD’S Promise
“Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
(Isaiah 40: 5 NASB)
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
During this Christmas season, the holy season of Advent, the focus of my heart rests upon ‘looking forward.’ Today, for a few sentences, go with me into the Scripture—the Holy Word of God—to see how so many who came before us saw the prophecies fulfilled to ‘look forward to the birth of the Messiah.’
Now, this is not an exhaustive list, but a petite list—
- Anna, the prophetess who fasted & prayed day and night—In the Gospel of Luke, we meet this woman who had been widowed seven years, a woman who had reached the age of eighty-four. We see her living in the temple, we see her fasting, we see her praying, we see her giving thanks to God & we see her testifying “to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (The Gospel According to Luke 2: 38b NASB)
- Joseph, the earthly dad who encountered the angel of God—In the Gospel of Matthew, we meet this godly, righteous and just man, one who faced a major life decision. Just when Joseph had decided how to put away his betrothed Mary quietly, “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (The Gospel According to Matthew 1: 20b NASB)
- John, the apostle of Jesus who encountered the LORD—the beloved one who suffered greatly for the LORD wrote ‘The Promise is Eternal Life.’ “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (The First Letter of John 2: 28 NASB)
God will do exactly what He said He would do!
“Then Jesus said to His disciples,
“If anyone wishes to come after Me,
- he must deny himself, and
- take up his cross and
- follow Me.
- For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
- but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
- Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels,
and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.
Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
(Matthew 16: 24-28 NASB)
- May the HOLY SPIRIT keep us focused—until He comes!
- May the LORD direct your heart—until He comes!
- May the love of GOD direct your steps—until He comes!
- May the endurance of CHRIST JESUS sustain your faith—until He comes!
- May the testimony of what we believe in our LORD encourage us with boldness as we spiritually interact with people—until He comes!
There is a melody by the band Unspoken “Roots” that reveals through song exactly WHO we are holding onto & exactly WHAT we believe. Please listen.
May we Look Forward, to the LORD’S Promise
This Christmas season, the holy season of Advent, let us recall what we believe, for there is HOPE—God will do exactly what He said He would do!