Friday December 3, 2021

Today is Friday, December 3 and during this first week of Advent we explore what the Bible says about waiting.

As I begin this time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus my mind on the presence of God. Come, Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I rejoice in your loving goodness and merciful nature. I place you first and give you the first minutes of my day. Open the ears of my heart and enable me to hear what you want me to know today. I am grateful for these special moments alone with you. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s goodness and praise him with the words of Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-3

Pause and Pray

In Advent, we celebrate three significant comings of Jesus Christ – past, present and future. In the past, Christ came into the world as a tiny babe in a manger, the incarnation of God. In the present, Christ comes into our world and into our lives anew each day. In the future Christ will come again in victory – Jesus Christ will return on earth. We live in the in-between times, in-between Christ’s first coming and Christ’s second coming. God’s kingdom is here, yet it is not fulfilled. It is still coming. The early and late rains are the two rainy seasons in the Mediterranean climate. The early and late rains are symbols of God’s great faithfulness. Like the farmer, we sow seeds. God provides the necessary rains. We live in the time in-between the early and late rain of God’s kingdom on earth. The coming of the early and late rains represent Jesus’ double sojourn on this earth.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7-11

James encourages me to be patient and wait. I imagine what it would be like to be a farmer who has sown an abundance of seeds into fertile land, waiting for the rains to arrive to produce a valuable crop. Am I content in the waiting, trusting God to bring the needed rains, carrying my umbrella around with expectation? Or am I anxious in the waiting, continually looking to the skies for the formation of clouds, doubtful and worried when there are no signs on the horizon? In my uncertainty, have I found myself grumbling against my brothers and sisters as James warns about? I consider the Old Testament prophets who were patient and persevered in the face of suffering as well as the story of Job who waited through suffering.

Ask: How can I grow my faith in God during seasons of waiting? What can I do to increase my patience and perseverance in difficult circumstances?

Pause and Pray

Lord, you are a God of compassion and mercy. Teach me the value of patient waiting, trusting you to bring rains of blessing into my life at the perfect time. Enable me to be patient and stand firm in times of difficulty. Forgive me for the times I grumble or complain. Instruct me in the blessings of perseverance as I wait to see the goodness you will bring about. I read James again, listening for the message you have for me today.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:7-11

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I reflect on this passage of scripture, I rest in God and listen with the ear of my heart. I know that God has the ability to capture my attention in many ways. I consider what bothers me about this scripture or perhaps that which raises a question for me. I ponder the word or phrase that stands out to me and ask God what he is trying to tell me. Where in my life do I need to practice patience? Where in my life do I need to stand firm? Where in my life do I need to persevere? What is the valuable crop that God wants to produce through me? What are the seeds I need to sow? How will God’s blessed rains bring his desire for me to fruition?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, my hope is in you. I invite you into my heart and ask you to show me the next steps in my spiritual journey. I am unable to move forward in my own power and rely fully on your sanctifying grace to improve me. Thank you for your amazing grace, abundant compassion and heart of mercy. Amen.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with renewed patience in the waiting of life. Give me patience with myself and patience with others. Amen.