A Weary World Awaits
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A Weary World Awaits
1. The Experience of Waiting
Christmas is a time deeply connected to waiting. Children eagerly anticipate the gifts under the tree, trying to guess what’s inside, sometimes even shaking or peeking. One year, to prevent her kids from figuring out the gifts, Carolyn labeled them with numbers instead of names and kept a master list. But when she lost the list, she ended up shaking the gifts herself to guess whose was whose on Christmas morning. This humorous story reminds us how challenging waiting can be.
Just as children wait for Christmas, so did the people of Israel wait for the coming of Jesus. Jewish children and adults alike longed for the arrival of the promised Messiah. The anticipation wasn’t for presents, but for a Savior who would fulfill God’s promises and bring ultimate hope.
Our world today is also in desperate need of hope. Studies show that three out of five people feel depressed or negative during the holiday season. Yet, in the Christmas story, there is profound hope available to all.
2. The Context of Waiting in Scripture
God’s people in the Old Testament were given a promise that seemed endlessly delayed. They had to wait for the coming of Jesus without knowledge of Bethlehem, the cross, or the resurrection. Their daily lives were deeply connected to God, often more so than ours today. Though they sometimes failed, they strove to live according to God’s commands and brought sacrifices to the temple as an acknowledgment of sin.
However, those sacrifices couldn’t truly take away sin. Hebrews tells us that repeated sacrifices could never remove sins. The ultimate solution was Jesus, who would take on sin and go to the cross. For Old Testament believers, forgiveness was still through Jesus, even though His sacrifice was in the future. They looked forward in faith to the coming Messiah.
Isaiah prophesied about this coming Savior, saying He would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. Yet, generation after generation had to wait. Eventually, after centuries, even the prophets fell silent for 400 years. This long silence led some to doubt and question God’s promises.
3. What to Do When Waiting
Many of us know what it’s like to wait and to ask, “God, where are you?” or “Why the delay?” Scripture offers practical guidance on what to do while waiting.
Call Out to God
Zechariah and Elizabeth longed for a child even into their old age. They continued to pray and call out to God. In Luke 1:13, an angel tells Zechariah that his prayer was heard, and Elizabeth would bear a son—John the Baptist. Despite years of waiting, they remained faithful in prayer.
David, in Psalm 40:1, writes, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” Rather than running from God or doubting, we are encouraged to persistently call out to Him.
Believe God’s Promises
When God makes a promise, it is certain. Zechariah doubted initially, questioning how his elderly wife could bear a child. Yet, God fulfilled His promise (Luke 1:24). We are called to trust God’s promises and live confidently in them, rehearsing His faithfulness in our minds.
Look to God’s Word
Psalm 130:5-6 says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” During seasons of waiting, doubt and anxiety can arise, but God is not silent. He speaks through His living and active Word. We need to stay rooted in Scripture to hear His voice and be reminded of His truth.
4. Dangers in Waiting
Forgetting God’s Provision
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous and blameless, yet Zechariah doubted the angel’s message. It’s easy to forget God’s past provisions when facing new challenges. A helpful exercise is to list the ways God has provided in your life, building confidence for the future.
Doubting God
When we forget God’s past faithfulness, doubt creeps in. Zechariah questioned the angel despite God’s proven track record. Similarly, we can fail to see what God is doing and mistakenly believe He is absent.
Taking Matters into Our Own Hands
Sarah, longing for a child, sent her servant Hagar to Abraham to have a child, taking God’s promise into her own hands. This led to conflict and deviation from God’s perfect plan. Acting apart from God’s will never leads to His best for us.
5. The Benefits of Waiting
Seeing God’s Provision
Simeon in Luke 2 was faithfully waiting for the Messiah. God allowed him to see Jesus before his death. Faithful waiting positions us to see God’s provision and experience His work in our lives.
Renewed Strength
David encourages us to “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 27). True strength comes from God, not from our own efforts. Waiting builds spiritual courage and resilience.
Living in Hope
Psalm 130 connects waiting with hope. Hope isn’t found in escaping waiting but is birthed through it. Waiting isn’t a detour; it can be the main path God uses to shape and strengthen us. It deepens our relationship with Him and teaches us to depend on His faithfulness.
6. Conclusion
We all experience waiting, and though we may not like it, it can lead us to greater growth, trust, and hope. In waiting, we can discover the true thrill of hope. As we wait, let us call out to God, believe His promises, look to His word, and remember His past provision.
May our seasons of waiting draw us closer to God and fill us with a deep, lasting hope that transforms our lives.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: The Thrill of Hope
Sermon Title: A Weary World Awaits
Date: Dec 15, 2024
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:24
Psalm 40:1
Psalm 130:5-6
Luke 2:25
Luke 2:29-30
Isaiah 53:5-6
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