Who Needs Encouragement to Wait on Jesus?

Dawn of Eternity 2 by Waiting on the Word at Flickr

Dawn of Eternity 2 by Waiting on the Word at Flickr

In the last post I wrote about Jesus being Lord, though our world is messed up!

In this post, I want to follow with a thought on who needs encouragement to wait on Jesus in hope!

The New Testament writers often encouraged us to wait on Jesus in hope.  We get so wrapped up in our modern lives, that we tend to neglect longing and waiting on Jesus.  Yet the NT says that Christians are to be waiting (Rom. 8:21-25; Gal. 5:5; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 9:28; James 5:7; 2 Peter 3:12-14).

What people specifically need encouragement to wait in hope!

1.  Those who need vindication!  In Revelation 6:9-11, the souls martyred cry out “How long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  Those who are victimized and ostracized because of their faith wait in hope for Christ’s vengeance.  Our brethren undergoing persecution in Nigeria, Ukraine, and other countries today must wait in hope!  Those that have been shamefully and unethically treated by friends or family must wait in hope for God’s vengeance.  We are not to seek revenge, but wait on God’s retribution (Rom. 12:19-21).

2.  Those who are suffering!  So many faithful Christians are hurting.  It maybe cancer, which seems to affect so many families, or a rarer disease like ALS or MS.  Suffering can be a great trial of faith and perseverance.  When our mind and body deteriorate, we must wait on the Lord in hope!

3.  Those who miss loved ones!  But all suffering is not physical, much is also emotional and grief oriented.  For those who are aching for a dear loved one who has gone on to the Lord’s side, they wait in hope!  For parents who have buried young children, or the spouse who lost their best friend, they wait in hope.  The years left on earth can seem like an eternity before that reunion, but our spiritual eyes tell us they are but a moment compared to the endless ages of eternity.

4.  Those who long for Jesus!  The New Testament writers spoke so much about anticipating and longing for Jesus’ return because of their great love for Him. They didn’t fear or dread His coming, but it was an anticipated event that would usher in heaven and complete fellowship with Christ.  Jesus promised to return and take us to be with him so we could always be in His presence (John 14:1-4).  Heaven is not so much about the what, but the who!

Are you a part of the “those” I just wrote about?  If not, you should be!

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Visit the Audio Resources Page to listen to a sermon on this theme called “Waiting on Jesus”

Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/who-needs-encouragement-to-wait-on-jesus/

1 comment

  1. A good thing to do to refocus our thoughts where they need to be.

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