The story of Job is an interesting one. It is a story in which God allowed Job to be tested, and despite the voices around him telling him to turn against God to save himself, he refused. Job had great faith. Whatever he endured, he trusted that God would either bless him through it or allow it for a purpose. Job placed himself completely in God’s hands. The verses that stand out to me are these: Job 1:7–10 (KJV)— “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro…
“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 We can only imagine how the disciples felt as they saw Jesus ascend into the heavens, leaving them behind. But angels appeared to them, giving them a promise that one day Jesus would return in like manner. I am sure that they thought it would be only a short wait. As we read the New Testament, we realize that as they spread the Good News, they were expecting the Lord to return any day. But here we are in the year 2026, still waiting for His return. Years turned into decades and decades into centuries, and yet we still have His promise. I Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain…
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5 Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He met one last time with His disciples and gave them instructions. They were all to go to Jerusalem and spend time together because something special was going to happen. He did not give them an exact time, just told them to wait. He promised them that they would receive the power they needed to continue His kingdom work. (Acts 1:8) One hundred and twenty believers gathered in the Upper Room, united in one goal and purpose. Hours were spent in prayer. No doubt the apostles shared the teachings they had received from Jesus. Perhaps there were discussions about just what would happen when Jesus gave them the gift He had promised. They waited with anticipation as they worshipped the Lord together. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The wait was over. There was a sound of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of fire…
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 The above scripture promises both salvation and healing. We sometimes question why healing is granted to some and not to others. Of course, we realize that going to be with the Lord is perfect healing, because we know that there will be no more suffering in Heaven. So, we rest on God’s promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Some examples of waiting for…
“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:11-13 We are all familiar with this story Jesus told to illustrate how much God loves us. Those of us who are parents can sympathize with the father in this story. His younger son decided that he wanted to leave his family home and go out on his own. It was customary that when a father died, his inheritance would be divided. This lad decided that he did not want to wait for his father’s death; he wanted his money now. I am sure the father’s heart was broken because he loved his son very much. However, he knew that when a child becomes an adult, we must let them make their own decisions. There is an old saying: “If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they…
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5 David was just a youth when Samuel anointed him to be the King of Israel. Perhaps at the time, he did not understand fully what that meant. He went back to looking after his father’s sheep. No doubt he thought often of what the future might hold for him, but in the meantime, he continued to worship the Lord. Probably many of his psalms were written during this time of waiting. They express his great love for the Lord and desire to please Him in the way he lived. God had chosen him to be a king, but there would be a waiting time before this would happen. He would be tried and tested. He would protect his flock from the lion and the bear, showing him that the Lord was with him. This gave him courage when he faced Goliath on the battlefield. For a time, he would play his music for Saul, giving him some experience of what life was like in the palace. His friendship with Jonathan was a blessing to him.…