Waiting on the Lord

The Christmas season provides us, as Christians, with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the fact that we are still eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord. We find ourselves in a unique moment, where we experience the tension of living in the “already, not yet” period between Christ’s initial coming and his ultimate return, when he will gather his church and establish his kingdom. However, this special time of year, which should be dedicated to contemplating this future event, often gets overshadowed by the festivities of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. As we engage in costume parties, gatherings with loved ones, and take advantage of Black Friday sales, it is easy to become preoccupied and lose sight of our eternal hope. It is crucial that we learn to refocus our lives and keep our gaze fixed on Christ. Let us patiently await the Lord’s return.

What are we waiting for? In Latin, Adventus was the word for Parousia, which means the arrival or the Lord’s second coming. We eagerly await his return to a world filled with darkness, pain, and injustice. We long for things to be made right. Despite the world’s attempt to numb our suffering, the comforting truth is that Scripture never fails to provide solace. Even after the events of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, our world remains broken, and no amount of Black Friday bargains can fix it. Our souls hunger for fulfillment that cannot be satisfied by a plateful of pumpkin custard, and our hearts yearn for healing that no earthly touch can offer. The apostle Paul proclaimed that the entire creation groans in anticipation of redemption. The Old Testament reveals that the people of God anticipated the arrival of their Messiah, who would rescue them from oppression and foreign dominion. This prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Today, the church finds itself in a similar predicament as ancient Israel, yearning for their King. The purpose of the season is to turn our gaze towards the imminent arrival of Christ on earth, emphasizing the act of waiting. However, in a religious culture that has become preoccupied with using Jesus to cater to the desires of seekers for an easy and comfortable life in the present, Advent feels like an uncomfortable interruption.

Advent connects us with the ancient prophets who yearned for the Messiah, even though they never lived to see him. For example, in the prophet Isaiah’s context, the northern kingdom of Israel and Syria attacked Judah. As a result, Assyria became strengthened against them. According to chapter 9:1, they had taken land. Israel is on the verge of destruction.

Isaiah 10:3-4 “What will you do on the day of punishment, in the ruin that will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth? Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.”

Assyria dominated Samaria (10:11-12) and destroyed Judah (10:28-32). But God will judge Assyria (10:34-35). Should God’s people live oppressed? No, they should wait for God’s promise. Isaiah urges listeners to trust in God’s promise of a glorious kingdom. Judah should not be prideful like Israel and Assyria. They should not rely on other kingdoms for hope. Despite oppression, they should trust God because He promised to remove their enemies and establish justice and peace.
If the holiday season brings to mind anything, may it bring to mind the concept of waiting on the Lord. This world is not our home. We await a building from God, an eternal home not made by human hands (2 Cor. 5:1).