Anticipation
Psalm 126
Isaiah 40:1-11
Romans 8:22-25
One of the hallmarks of a true Christian is that he/she is filled with anticipation, another word for hope. We have hope not only for the near future, but for eternity. The opposite attitude is the old-fashioned feeling of apathy or acedia. The desert fathers named it one of the seven deadly sins and called it the “noonday devil”. It was not the darkness of depression but the idea that in the heat of the sun, nothing was worth the effort. It implies boredom, lack of energy, lackluster effort and a desire to wile away the time in pleasurable pursuits that have no long-range benefit. But for the people of God the future has meaning and we live in anticipation. This distinguishes us from those who have no hope. John warns us against being lukewarm.
The Jewish people had been captured and taken into exile because they had rebelled against God. But with the second half of the book of Isaiah the tune turns from one of punishment to one of comfort. God is on the move. Their spirits quicken and their longings for home increase as they anticipate the trip back to the land that God had given them. God announces that they have paid their sin debt and that God has forgiven them. They are to prepare for God’s redemption. He will bring justice by leveling the arrogant and lifting the downtrodden. He will bring balance where things have been slanted in favor of the rich and powerful. He will bring stability. God’s word will endure and the rule of God will be in effect. He will restore their fortunes. He will reward them for their faithfulness to him during the exile. They will be comforted and protected like a sheep in the arms of a caring shepherd. God is on the move.
And so the Jews do the work at hand while preparing to be on the move when God makes the way. The glory of the Lord will be revealed. Their hearts swell with anticipation and they find songs on their lips once more. They can envision a different kind of life in their own land. And he promises us this same restoration. Paul talks about waiting patiently for those things for which we hope. This implies a durable confidence, a lack of anxiety, a joyful hope. God is making all things right. The writings of both Isaiah and Paul ring with anticipation.
It seems to me that the “noonday devil” is on the prowl for Christians in our day. In many there is a lack of energy for the things of God—Bible study and prayer, reaching the lost, confronting evil and working for justice. It isn’t that we never do these things, but that when done, these things are done out of routine, half-heartedly, with little joy or hope. It is much easier to wile away the hours in pleasurable pursuits that kill the hours, demanding little. I find that I am a victim of this myself. I find myself playing hours of Solitaire, watching TV, taking naps and wonder why I spend my time and money on things that have no lasting value. In this Advent season I need to remember that God is on the move. He is building the kingdom of God and the culmination is near at hand. He will return to establish and fulfill this kingdom. There is a time coming when all will be made right and I want to be in the midst of the happening. As I think on this my heart begins to swell with anticipation. I want to be ready. I want to fill my life with things that really matter as I wait patiently for Lord to come again. Yes, God is visibly here in his church, but he is also working behind the scenes in ways that I can hardly imagine. He is on the move. He is coming! He is near at hand. Come, Lord Jesus.
I Remember You in My Prayers
I Remember You in My Prayers
Philippians 1:3-11
Recently I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about prayer. I have been doing an in depth study on the Lord’s Prayer which is of course the best place to begin. (I am posting this study on my web page at autumnsaints.com.) Today’s reading is also a good place to begin. Paul is writing to the Philippians. It was due to his ministry that the Philippian church came into being and it is one of the churches that seems to be operating as a church community should operate. He is very pleased with their progress. He is neither scolding nor correcting these believers. Paul prays for them often. He holds them in his heart. This is a good place to begin when we pray. We must hold those we pray for in our hearts. It is very difficult to pray for those we have cut off in disappointment, disagreement, or anger. It is impossible to prayer for those whom we envy or hate. We must even pray heartfelt prayers for our enemies in order to be children of our Father in heaven. The Father has been generous in his love and so must we. That is why we are taught to settle our disagreement before we approach the Lord and to not let the sun set on our anger. The prayers of the Old Testament faithful called down the wrath of God on evildoers. Jesus has taught us to call down the Father’s love. We must truly desire God’s very best even for our enemies.
Paul says that he gives prayers of thanksgiving for the Philippians. Paul certainly knows that these Philippians are not perfect, in fact later in the letter he gives us an illustration of two women who are having trouble settling a dispute. But he is grateful for all the wonderful things he sees in them and he expressed the confidence that God who began a good work will complete what he has started. This brings us to the second aspect of prayer in this passage. We are to believe that God is at work in the lives of those for whom we pray. It may not be obvious to us in what way God is working, but our God is a God who is active in drawing people to himself in love. He is active in bringing conviction of sin and offering redemption to all. He is active in the process of sanctification (making his children Christ-like). He is active preparing us for kingdom life and helping us to do the right things. We must have faith that God is at work even when we do not see it happening in the time or manner that we would like.
Next, Paul prays that their love may grow in knowledge and depth of insight. It is the longing of all of us to grow in the ability to love well. We know that there are times when our love has been weak, selfish or expressed in harmful or indulgent ways. We understand how important love is to an abundant life. We have trouble discerning when love should be “tough” and when love should abound with mercy and grace. Paul prays that this group of believers may learn to love well, with insight and wisdom. What a wonderful prayer that encompasses a desire for a mature and wise love to be at work in all of our relationships. We cannot go wrong is praying this for one another.
While these aspects of prayer are not the whole story, they are certainly a good beginning. Lord, help me to lovingly hold others in my heart with compassion and thanksgiving. May you richly bless them and may your perfect will be worked out in their lives. May we all grow in our ability to love wisely and generously. May I have the faith to know that you are at work you will complete what you have set out to do. Amen.
Philippians 1:3-11
Recently I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about prayer. I have been doing an in depth study on the Lord’s Prayer which is of course the best place to begin. (I am posting this study on my web page at autumnsaints.com.) Today’s reading is also a good place to begin. Paul is writing to the Philippians. It was due to his ministry that the Philippian church came into being and it is one of the churches that seems to be operating as a church community should operate. He is very pleased with their progress. He is neither scolding nor correcting these believers. Paul prays for them often. He holds them in his heart. This is a good place to begin when we pray. We must hold those we pray for in our hearts. It is very difficult to pray for those we have cut off in disappointment, disagreement, or anger. It is impossible to prayer for those whom we envy or hate. We must even pray heartfelt prayers for our enemies in order to be children of our Father in heaven. The Father has been generous in his love and so must we. That is why we are taught to settle our disagreement before we approach the Lord and to not let the sun set on our anger. The prayers of the Old Testament faithful called down the wrath of God on evildoers. Jesus has taught us to call down the Father’s love. We must truly desire God’s very best even for our enemies.
Paul says that he gives prayers of thanksgiving for the Philippians. Paul certainly knows that these Philippians are not perfect, in fact later in the letter he gives us an illustration of two women who are having trouble settling a dispute. But he is grateful for all the wonderful things he sees in them and he expressed the confidence that God who began a good work will complete what he has started. This brings us to the second aspect of prayer in this passage. We are to believe that God is at work in the lives of those for whom we pray. It may not be obvious to us in what way God is working, but our God is a God who is active in drawing people to himself in love. He is active in bringing conviction of sin and offering redemption to all. He is active in the process of sanctification (making his children Christ-like). He is active preparing us for kingdom life and helping us to do the right things. We must have faith that God is at work even when we do not see it happening in the time or manner that we would like.
Next, Paul prays that their love may grow in knowledge and depth of insight. It is the longing of all of us to grow in the ability to love well. We know that there are times when our love has been weak, selfish or expressed in harmful or indulgent ways. We understand how important love is to an abundant life. We have trouble discerning when love should be “tough” and when love should abound with mercy and grace. Paul prays that this group of believers may learn to love well, with insight and wisdom. What a wonderful prayer that encompasses a desire for a mature and wise love to be at work in all of our relationships. We cannot go wrong is praying this for one another.
While these aspects of prayer are not the whole story, they are certainly a good beginning. Lord, help me to lovingly hold others in my heart with compassion and thanksgiving. May you richly bless them and may your perfect will be worked out in their lives. May we all grow in our ability to love wisely and generously. May I have the faith to know that you are at work you will complete what you have set out to do. Amen.
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