Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Come Expectant

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God" (Luke 2:25-28, ESV).

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Think of the anticipation with which Simeon would come into the temple each day. God had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah face-to-face before Simeon died, so imagine how excited he would be upon entering, wondering if today is the day that he would meet the Savior. His response upon seeing Jesus, recorded in Luke 2:28-35, reveals his expectant joy.

But think of this, then: how much more we, Christians, having the Savior God in us, should come with anticipation, expectant that God will meet with us and work through us? We do not need to wait for our consolation; He has already come to us. Like living in a new house, over time we tend to get bored with the familiar. But if we really see Jesus as the Savior Messiah God that He is, as the God of the universe piercing into our history that He is, then we have no reason for boredom. And since He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, then we should live expectantly and worship with anticipation.

Think of how this reality would change our worship gatherings as a church. Coming expectant for God to meet with His people. Preparing our hearts for Him, giving Him space to work in us. Responding to Him in joy and gladness. We might be even more excited to gather together.

Think of how this reality would change our private worship times individually. Coming expectant for God to meet with you in all of His fullness. Preparing your heart for Him, giving Him space to work in you. Responding to Him in glad joy and obedience. You might be even more excited to get up in the mornings.

Think of how this reality would change our daily lives. Living with anticipation for how God's constant presence will work through you as He sees fit, for His glory. Shaping your heart, moving your circumstances to position you for His purposes. Responding to Him, empowered by His Spirit, overflowing to others. We might see that there is no greater agenda than life in Him.

So come expectant, follower of Jesus. He has come, He is here, and He is in you. Shake off the apathy by seeing Who He is and what He has done, and live with anticipation of what God is doing and will do in and through you today.

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