The Gift of Waiting | God’s Best at Christmas | Dr. Roger Yancey

Magnolia’s First

(Luke 2:25-38) (25)Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26)It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (27)Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, (28)Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying (29)"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. (30)For my eyes have seen your salvation, (31)which you have prepared in the sight of all people, (32)a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (33)The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. (34)Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, (35)so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (36)There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, (37)and then was a widowuntil she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (38)Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 7:14) (14)Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. (God is with US)

(Psalm 27:14) (14)Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (28)Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (29)He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30)Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: God is not silent about the reality of waiting but He also is not telling us to be passive, uncaring, unaware... (31)But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Hebrews 11:6) (16)And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him

(Psalms 27:11) (11)Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path

(Romans 5:6-8) (6)You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (7)Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. (8)But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.