As we celebrate Advent and the humble birth of our Savior, I keep thinking about waiting.

What was it like for God’s children to eagerly wait for centuries, longing to witness the promised Messiah come near and redeem his people? Were they filled with faith and hope? Was there a deep sense of yearning as they saw their brokenness? Did they inwardly begin to believe he would never come? Did they grow in frustration?

In other words, did they wait better than I often do? When we studied Revelation as a church earlier this year, I was continually struck by the phrase “patient endurance.” Those are two words I would never use to describe my character. There are many things I want to see redeemed in my life, but I don’t want to wait on the Lord and his perfect timing. A friend has recently begun to walk with the Lord, and as we celebrate her new life, we still see all the brokenness from the world and her own sin following her. I want to rush to the end where she walks in freedom with no pain from the past. I want my body to work the way it was originally designed to. I want another friend not to worry about her cancer coming back. I want my children to know and follow Jesus now.

These are all good desires, but I feel myself getting frustrated. I want to just step in and try to control it and fix it myself. But if I'm honest, I am keenly aware that I have no power to do so. The truth is, I am weak, and even in my best efforts, I cannot make things good again.

My hope can only rest in our powerful and good Savior, who came humbly to the world to take on flesh and become “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Scripture reminds me that he sees our pain and hurt, and encourages me that I am not alone. “Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God” (Psalm 146:5).

Advent is a season for believers to remember that Jesus will come a second time. The deep promise of the second Advent is that Jesus himself will make all things perfect. The prophet Isaiah describes this time with a beautiful picture of hope:

"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!

In that day the people will proclaim, 'This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!'” Isaiah 25:8–9

Don’t these verses bring joy and relief? I must remain faithful as I serve to bring hope and healing to others on this side of heaven, but I don’t have to wait in despair or rely on my own strength. I can patiently endure with a firm hope that the brokenness of this world will come to an end—that one day, we will enter the new heavens and new earth because of the finished work of Jesus.

Holding onto that hope, will you join us this month as we set aside time for intentional prayer? The Lord is faithful to hear us as we lift up those in need and those who are providing care. We’ve provided a December calendar of daily prayers and we invite you to print it or save it on your phone. Let’s use this season of waiting to unite in hope-filled, patient prayer for the world, our neighbors, and those dear to us.

Stephanie Clarey

Women at Grace Newsletter Team

On Saturdays, you will see verses focused on an attribute of God. We encourage you to slow down and engage the text. Consider reading the passage multiple times, writing it out in a journal, posting it on your desk, or memorizing part of the passage. Take time in the Word to help you meditate on who God is. Let us praise the Lord, for he is good.

We all experience brokenness and pain as we live in a fallen world. What is broken in your life that you are waiting for Jesus to redeem? How does the promise of Jesus’ return impact that waiting?

Take time to journal your thoughts and even lament what is broken. As we enter the holiday season, don’t let sentimentality drown out this deep and lasting truth: our Messiah will return for all those he has purchased with his blood. Ask God to remind you this season of his sovereignty, his nearness, and his love. Let us fix our eyes on him.