Eagerly Waiting

My second born daughter is in labor with our firstborn grandson, so I am awake in the dark of night with eager expectation of meeting this precious new life. As excited as I am about meeting him, I am reminded there is something I am waiting for with even more eager expectation.

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Romans 8:24-25 [NASB95]

This sweet baby boy is coming into a broken, sin-filled world. It breaks my heart that the brokenness of this world will invariably cause him pain, suffering and sorrow. But there is coming a day when there will never again be any more pain, suffering or sorrow.

“and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 [NASB95]

People in this world will hurt this precious baby boy, intentionally and unintentionally. Moved by pride, selfishness and other sinful motives they will wound his tender heart with unkind and perhaps even cruel words and deeds. But there is coming a day when they will stand confronted by their sins and be ashamed. A day when The Righteous Judge will judge in righteousness, bringing to light all that has been done in the darkness and vindicating the innocent and oppressed.

“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:1-5 [NASB95]

This baby boy is going to sin and his sin will bring sorrow upon himself and others. As he grows, his parents and grandparents will faithfully teach him how Jesus Christ has already paid the penalty for every sin he has yet to commit. I pray that he will choose to accept the costly free gift of Christ’s salvation, and that he will desire to walk in obedience to God all the days of his life. If he does, he will be grieved by the consequences of his sin as well as the daily battle his sinful flesh will wage against the leading of the Holy Spirit within him. But there is coming a day he will no longer battle sin, when his redemption will be made complete. On that day he will shed forever his sinful cloak of flesh and be fully clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ for all eternity.

“And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:23 [NASB95]

“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4 [NASB95]

Though we will tell this sweet baby boy all about his precious Aunt Sarah, my soul is grieved that he will not get the privilege of personally knowing her and her love. But there is coming a day when he will see and know her.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB95]

I’m waiting eagerly to meet this precious baby boy today. I’m also eagerly waiting for him to grow in understanding so I can join his parents in telling him all that Christ has done for him. But I’m most eagerly waiting for the day of the return of my Savior, Jesus Christ, who died for this precious baby boy, the world and me. Overwhelming joy fills my soul as I long with greatest expectancy for that day, that glorious day when my sinful flesh will forever be stripped away and I will see Him face to face in all His glory, and my sweet Sarah with Him.

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20 [NASB95]

“keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 1:21 [NASB95]

“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” Luke 12:35-37 [NASB95]