I don’t like to wait.

I think many of you feel the same way. We are, after all Americans except for the few from around the globe who find my words by chance thanks to the internet.

As Americans we live in a drive-thru, microwave it, open up the can or cereal box culture. Our time is precious to us because we ARE. SO. BUSY. Or at least we’ve made ourselves that way. Our impatience is revealed in our use of credit cards and loans…our economy.

I confess, I had my wedding gown before Mike gave me my engagement ring.

In my defense, we had picked out the ring…but.

So, patience is something I’ve been working on.

Unfortunately, the first fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 is not patience. It’s fourth down the line of promised outflow. The first fruit is love. I guess we need that one first. It does help to be patient with someone when you love them. Do you agree?

Then comes Joy.

Peace.

And then patience.

I do have so much more patience when I’m happy and peaceful. I’ve never met an impatient, peacefully joyful person. (Though I was joyful when I bought my wedding dress.)

I stumbled across a scripture in the book of Hebrews the other day while writing my Ruth Bible study.

 

“…so Christ was sacrificed once to take the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28).

The Greek counterpart translated as “waiting for” is Apekdechomai. I’m thankful I don’t have to pronounce it. That’s the beauty of writing rather than speaking. (Smile.) This is the definition in the Key-Word:

• from apo, an intensive, and ekdechomai, to expect, look for…includes the two elements of hope and patience.

Hopeful patience.

 

I like that. There’s something powerful about that kind of patience. It’s patience that doesn’t hold any insecurity about what it’s waiting for.

As I studied this word, the Samaritan woman flashed in my mind–the woman Jesus met at the well. I love that story and believe she has been misunderstood by commentators for centuries, but I’ll have to write about that another day. What flashed through my mind was this:

The woman said, “I know that Messiah (Called Christ) is coming. When he comes he will explain everything.” (John 4:25)

She was Apekdechomai.

I’ve often taught that Jesus met this woman at the well that day, the most unlikely person in the village, simply because she was waiting for Messiah.

What two religions in our world are waiting for the Messiah?

Christians and Jews.

“…so Christ was sacrificed once to take the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28).

He will bring salvation for those who know He is coming. Those who wait with hopeful patience.

Does this encourage you, change the way you think of Jews? If anything, maybe this gives us a common bond with our friends who believe in the same God we do and share half our Bible.

[tweetability]The scripture is clear. Jesus is bringing salvation for all who are waiting for Him.[/tweetability]

 

I don’t think it matters if you believe He is coming for the first time or the second. Just if you believe He’s coming.

Are you Apekdechomai for the Messiah?

 

 

Much grace,

 

 

ps. I’ve joined link-parties with Juana Mikels, Rachel Wojo, Thought Provoking Thursday, Fellowship Fridays, and Essential Things Devo. Click on their names under their buttons on the right. You’ll find great posts.