Luke 2:25-26

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.
Luke 2:25-26

Between the Old and the New Testament, there are 400 years of silence. As hard as it is for us to comprehend 400 years, the Bible tells us that’s how long God’s people waited to hear Him speak. At the end of the Old Testament, God spoke through the prophet Malachi – and then nothing. God went silent. It’s hard to imagine such a long time, but for the people who had seen God’s miracles firsthand, 400 years must have felt like an eternity. And the longer God was silent, the worse things got. It certainly seemed as though God had forgotten both His people and His promises.

Can you relate? When God goes silent, it doesn’t take long until we assume God must have forgotten about us. Suddenly we begin to take matters into our own hands – walking away from God in the process. But, God is always at work in our waiting. Waiting reminds us who is ultimately in control and prepares us for what’s next.

Are you in the midst of a season of waiting? Maybe it has been a very long and incredibly frustrating few months or years. You feel as though God has forgotten you; you’re beginning to doubt. Don’t lose hope – God is at work in the waiting. Even during the most challenging seasons, God wants to point us to Jesus. Jesus, the only one who can perfectly and completely fulfill the deepest longings of our hearts.

If you’re seeking hope – look to Jesus. Seeking comfort – look to Jesus. If you’re feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied – look to Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate hope and joy even when the wait feels like 400 years. Through Jesus, the wait is over as our souls find rest in the promise of God fulfilled!

Pastor William Del Casale