Anticipate

When most people think about the Old Testament, they merely think about Noah and the flood, David and Goliath and other great stories of God's work through humans. However, these stories for storytelling aren't the reason that we have the Old Testament (OT) in our Bibles today. Have you ever thought about the people in the OT and the things that occurred during their lives? These people lived, heard, and read about the things that happened to Adam and Eve and the rest of mankind prior to the flood and after the Exodus and knew that someday God was going to redeem them and bring them back to Him through a Savior, Messiah, a Son. Throughout the OT we witness people struggling with sin and having to make an offering to God for their forgiveness because in their time, Christ had not yet come. The people in the OT waited for many years and they never got to witness the birth, life, death, or resurrection of their Savior. Even in the years between the OT and New Testament (NT) writings (400 years!!!) people were still waiting. Now waiting wasn't merely just sitting around twiddling their thumbs, NO!, they were continually worshiping God for the things that He was doing in their lives and their waiting was an anticipation to what the Savior would bring to this world. Some people missed out because they got tired of waiting on God to do what He promised to do. Others were patient enough to repent, worship, and anticipate the day that would come when their sins would be washed away. In the NT these people actually got to spend time with Jesus and witness all the great things that He is until the day He ascended into heaven. Those after the NT, including us, are now waiting for His return. Like the people in the OT, we live in a sinful and perverse world and are waiting for our Savior to come to this world (again) and redeem it for good. Also, like some in the OT, some people have grown weary and tired of waiting on God, but I urge you to trust in His promises and anticipate the day of His return. Every promise, and prophecy for that matter, that was made in the OT was revealed and proven true in the NT and this is not a mere coincidence! God remains true to His word and Jesus will return. Don't miss out on the glory that He will bring, experience it now and allow Him to perfect you until the day He calls you home or until the day He returns to this earth to make it new. Anticipate that day, yet do not be anxious. His kingdom is amongst us, don't miss it. Anticipate or miss out, it's your choice.