We are in a waiting season.
During Christmas, children are bright-eyed with excitement. They see all the beautiful wrapped presents and they know there is something good hidden within the colorful wrappings and bows. They long to peek under the paper to catch a glimpse of the treasures within the decorated packaging. However eager they are to open the gifts, they have to wait until an appointed time--Christmas morning.
Like a child at Christmas who knows his parents have something really good for him under the tree, we are waiting with eager anticipation to open the future God has tightly packaged up for us.
We don't know what He has in store for us, but we know it is good (Jeremiah 29:11).
Even though we cannot see what is inside the presents at Christmas, our hearts are full of expectancy of the treasure we know waits inside the box. That is faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). We have faith and hopeful expectation that the unseen in the box is a colossal surprise worth the wait!
We need to be as certain about what the Lord has in store for us when we cannot see all that He has in the box. He is for us and His plan is good.
Just like we want to give our children presents that will light their eyes up with joy at Christmas, our God wants to surprise us with gifts that will bring joy to our hearts.
"What man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!" Matt 7: 9-11
We want to give our children what they ask for at Christmas because it brings us such overwhelming joy to see their face shine when they finally get to open the present they have been waiting for until Christmas morning. Do you think our heavenly Father is any different?
What is it you are waiting for? What is it you have asked for (according to God's will--all God's promises are His will)? You may not be able to see the answer at this time, and that is because He has it wrapped up for you until the appointed time--Christmas morning {Let's hope Christmas is this summer}.
Father, we know that all things work together for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. We know your plans for us are for good and not for evil, to prosper us and not to harm us, we know we can trust you to give us the best for us. Father, help us wait for what we cannot see with hopeful expectation, patience and composure. Help us to just trust, be still and know You are God. And if you don't mind, could we just have a little hint or peek of what is under the wrapping paper? We love you, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Sue, I remember praying for my husband -- for God to send me a godly man to love and that would love me. I prayed for 8 years and my husband showed up one day. I learned a great deal of patience and that God answers prayers in His time. Recently prayed for a friend's daughter to be free from pain (cancer). She passed away last week and as her mom said --God took her home, she is healed and no longer in pain. She is where we all long to be with our Heavenly Father. Have a great day! ~Martha
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