WEEK ONE

GOD WORKS WHILE WEWAIT.

November 26

JUST THE RIGHT TIME

Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who wereunder the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (anddaughters)*.

*(added by author)

REFLECTIONA Savior had been promised to God’s people for centuries. Theylonged and prayed for rescue. And then on the right day, in the rightplace, at the right time, Jesus was born. While God rarely comes atour appointed time, He always comes at the right time.

All of us are waiting on something, often wondering if God hasforgotten us. In your waiting, let the birth of Christ encourage you.Just because God hasn’t come through (as far as you can see), itdoesn’t mean He has abandoned you. To Him a day is like athousand years and a thousand years are like a day. This veryminute He’s working for His glory and for your good. Thoughcircumstances say otherwise, God is going to come through, onschedule, fulfilling His long-appointed plans for you. Don’t give upbefore the time is right. Take hope in the manger and know that youare loved and prized by the God who stepped down from heavenand arrived at the perfect time for you.

MEDITATIONHark the Glad Sound

Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,The Savior promised long;Let ev’ry heart prepare a throne,And ev’ry voice a song.

He comes the pris’ners to release,In Satan’s bondage held.The gates of brass before Him burst,The iron fetters yield.

He comes the broken heart to bind,The bleeding soul to cure,And with the treasures of His grace

To enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,Thy welcome shall proclaim,And heav’ns eternal arches ringWith Thy beloved name.

Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751

PRAYERFather, meet me in the waiting, the place where I long for what isnot fully in view. Still my heart and give me the ability to know thatYou are near. I believe Your plans are good. I see it in the birth ofYour only Son. But sometimes I struggle to see beyond the hazethat surrounds me. Renew my confidence as I lift my eyes to You.Be glorified in my life during this season of expectation. Amen.

November 27

GOD WORKS WHILE WEWAIT

Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

REFLECTIONIf we are honest, we all hate to wait. In fact, most often we say

something like, “I can’t believe this is taking so long; it’s costingme time I don’t have!” That’s because most of us consider waitingto be wasting. But it’s not so with our God.

God works while we wait. Even when you can’t see what He isdoing, God is always orchestrating the events of heaven and earth toaccomplish His purposes for your life. Trust in His unfailing love—love that moved Him to send a Savior from heaven to restore andrescue you. God’s plans for your life will not be thwarted. Waitpatiently, knowing that waiting is never wasted when you arewaiting on God.

MEDITATIONCome Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in TheeIsrael’s Strength and Consolation,Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear Desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever,Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.By Thine own eternal SpiritRule in all our hearts alone;By Thine all sufficient merit,Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

PRAYERFather, I am here waiting for You. My heart and hands are open toYour purposes and plans for my life. Give me the patience I sodesperately need and lead me in my waiting. Though my feelingsmay not be there just yet, I believe You are moving on my behalfright this minute, protecting, defending, preparing, providing. Giveme grace to keep trusting in You in the face of the gale force windsof doubt that are blowing all around me. Anchor my heart in You.Amen.

November 28

CHOOSE GOD’S WAY

Isaiah 30:15b, 18b (NIV)

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust isyour strength, but you would have none of it. Yet the LORD LONGS TOBE GRACIOUS TO YOU; therefore he will rise up to show youcompassion. For the LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE. Blessed are all whowait for him!

REFLECTIONIt’s easy to bail on God at the first sign of trouble. It’s easy to fret,worry, make new plans, and settle for shortcuts. But there is anotherway—the quiet way of rest and trust. During this Advent journey,keep making the confident decision to choose God’s way. Say “no”to anything and everything that promises the peace that only He canbring. Guard your heart from any voice that offers a “quick fix.”Instead, say, “Jesus, I want to wait on You.”

The best things in life take time. And the payoff of doing thingsGod’s way is always better. But the enemy is crafty and determinedto deceive us, shouting that the “wait” we endure is a sign that Godis not good. Stay the course. Don’t give in today. Choose the paththat leads to life and hang on to the hope that Jesus outshineseverything that glitters in this world.

MEDITATIONCreator of the Stars of Night

Creator of the stars of night,Thy people’s everlasting Light:O Christ, Redeemer, save us allAnd hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou grieving that the Ancient curseShould doom to death a universe,Hast found the healing, full of grace,To cure and save our ruined race.

O Thou, whose coming is with dreadTo judge the living and the dead,Preserve us from the ancient foe

While still we dwell on earth below.Text: Latin, 5th–10th century

Translated by John Mason Neale, 1818–1866, alt.Stanzas 1, 2, & 5

PRAYERFather, Creator of the stars of night, I wait for You. You came to mewhen I was lost and couldn’t find my way to You. As I continue thisAdvent journey, reveal the things I have counted on to fill my heartapart from You and give me the grace to lay them down. I will waitfor You and trust You to protect me from my foes and give me all Ineed. Amen.

November 29

JESUS SETS YOU FREE

Isaiah 61:1–3 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the LORDfor the display of his splendor.

REFLECTION

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4, Jesus spoke of this Old Testamentpromise being fulfilled in Him. He claimed that He was the Onewho could set the prisoner free, He alone could lift up those whohad been trampled on by life’s disappointments and demise.

So, if you are bound by grief or blinded by anguish, you’vecome to the right place—the place where healing is found. TheHealer is Jesus and He comes to open your eyes and set you free.Reach out for Him and let Him take your hand. He has come not totake something from you, but to do something for you that no oneelse on earth can do.

MEDITATIONO Lord, How Shall I Meet You

O Lord, how shall I meet You,

How welcome You aright?Your people long to greetYou, My hope, my heart’s delight!O kindle, Lord most holy,Your lamp within my breastto do in spirit lowlyall that may please You best.

I lay in fetters, groaning;You came to set me free.I stood, my shame bemoaning;You came to honor me.A glorious crown You give me,A treasure safe on highThat will not fail or leave meAs earthly riches fly.

Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676

Stanzas 1 & 3

PRAYERFather, when I was left for dead, discarded and trampled by my ownfoolish choices, You arrived just in time to save my life. Thank you.Jesus, I believe that You alone set me free. Give me the grace to restin Your freedom today and proclaim that same freedom to all thosewho are still bound. Amen.

November 30

BY HIS WOUNDS YOU AREHEALED

Isaiah 53:3–6 (ESV)

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, andacquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faceshe was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne ourgriefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for ourtransgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was thechastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we arehealed. We all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity ofus all.

REFLECTIONJesus came to earth on purpose. His arrival wasn’t just for show,and it certainly wasn’t easy. He gave up His rights as God and tookon human flesh, to be pierced for our wrongs and to wipe our debtof sin away. His birth and His death were both sacrifices so youmight receive His mercy and grace. In Jesus, you are healed. InHim, you are made whole.

Victory over our hurts and pain is not found by delving deeper

into our wounds, but by clinging to the wounds of Jesus. Though wecaused Jesus’ wounds by our selfish and shameful acts, He waswilling to take the blows and bear the scars in His hands, feet, andside that bring us healing, wholeness, and peace with our God.Every wrong you have done and every wrong that has been done toyou has been swallowed up in every right that Jesus has done and inevery wrong that has been done to Him.

MEDITATIONFrom Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee

From depths of woe I cry to Thee,In trial and tribulation;Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,Lord, hear my supplication.If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,

Who then could heaven ever winOr stand before thy presence?

Thy love and grace alone availTo blot out my transgression;The best and holiest deeds must failTo break sin’s dread oppression.Before Thee none can boasting stand,But all must fear Thy strict demandAnd live alone by mercy.

Therefore my hope is in the LordAnd not in mine own merit;It rests upon His faithful WordTo them of contrite spiritThat He is merciful and just;This is my comfort and my trust.

His help I wait with patience.Martin Luther, 1483–1546,

Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.Stanzas 1–3

PRAYERFather, thank You for the gift of Your Son, the perfect One givenfor an imperfect one like me. Thank You that Jesus died the way Hedied so I can come to You just as I am. Jesus, give me grace toreach for Your scars, believing that when You suffered and bled forme, my wounds were healed. Let Your peace and power cover andheal my heart. Amen.

December 1

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

Psalm 27:7–14 (NIV)

Hear my voice when I call, LORD;be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of you, “Seek His face!”Your face, LORD, I will seek.Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.Do not reject me or forsake me,God my Savior.Though my father and mother forsake me,the LORD will receive me.Teach me your way, LORD;lead me in a straight pathbecause of my oppressors.Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD;be strong and take heartand wait for the LORD.

REFLECTIONGod is not hiding from you. Yet, to find Him you must patientlyseek Him out. Just like you, God wants to be pursued. He wants toknow that you believe He is worth searching for. Many say theycan’t find God; that they can’t hear His voice. But if you want to benear God you must create space to seek Him. If you want to knowHim, you must start by telling Him. Open His Word and set yourgaze on Him. You’ll discover that He is worth far more thanwhatever you invest in the search.

MEDITATIONThe King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

The King shall come when morning dawnsAnd light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hillsAnd life to joy awakes.

Oh, brighter than the rising mornWhen Christ, victorious, roseAnd left the lonesome place of deathDespite the rage of foes.

Oh, brighter than that glorious mornShall dawn upon our raceThe day when Christ in splendor comesAnd we shall see His face.

The King shall come when morning dawnsAnd light and beauty brings.Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:Come quickly, King of kings!

John Brownlie, 1857–1925, alt.Stanzas 1, 3–5

PRAYERFather, I want to see Your face. Hear my cry and reveal Yourself tome as I make room for You to invade my life. I am desperate formore of You. I am here. I am knocking. Intersect my life today witha greater awareness of who You are. Please show me more of Yourcharacter and purpose as I set my heart on You. Amen.

December 2

COMPASSION OVERCONSUMPTION

Today we pause to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

In the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “It is more blessed to givethan to receive.” (Acts 20:35b)

PRAYER

Father, I thank You that You are a giver and not a taker, and Youhave given so freely to me. Help me see how much I have in You.Please give me the opportunity today to share with someone elsewhat You have so freely entrusted to me. Amen.

WEEK TWO

IF WE ARE TRULY WAITINGON GOD WE WON’T MISSANYTHING.

December 3

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

Psalm 27:1–6 (NIV)

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against meto devour me,

it is my enemies and my foeswho will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD,this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORDand to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

REFLECTIONIn the midst of the fray and fury, keep your eyes on Jesus. He isfighting for you. Emmanuel is near. Though accusations fly and theenemy assaults your thoughts, though people try to cut you downand drag your name through the mud, though schemes are launchedand temptations roar, though your flesh fails and screams forrevenge—your hope is in the One who fights for you. You are safein God’s love and in the power of His mighty name.

MEDITATIONFear Not to Trust Me in the Storm

Fear not to trust Me in the storm,I’m always very near.I come thy needless fears to calm,Then, weary ones, don’t fear.

RefrainFear not, I am with thee,Fear not, I am with thee,Fear not, I am with thee,Am with thee all the way.

I may not always seem so nearAs thou wouldst have Me be;

But in the calm and in the storm,I all thy dangers see.

RefrainFear not to trust My mighty arm;It bro’t salvation down.I suffered much to give thee life,To give to thee a crown.

Refrain J.W. HoweStanzas 1–3

PRAYERFather, in the middle of the storm I am setting my hope on You.You fight for me and You are greater than all my enemies. Nothing

I face today is more powerful than You. You are the solid groundbeneath my feet. Thank You for surrounding those who surroundme. Give me peace in the presence of my enemies, knowing thatYou see me and defend me in Your love. Amen.

December 4

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY

Isaiah 43:18–19, 20b–21, 25 (NIV)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doinga new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am makinga way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland . . . I providewater in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drinkto my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that theymay proclaim my praise.”

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my ownsake, and remembers your sins no more.”

REFLECTIONWhen God led His people out of bondage in Egypt they soon cameto what seemed like a dead end at the edge of the Red Sea. Thepeople were so bewildered they cursed God saying, “Could we nothave died in Egypt? Did you have to bring us into the wilderness tomeet our end?” Yet as it turned out, the desert and the sea were justopportunities for God to show His great power to His people.

It’s likely you have felt the same way at times, up againstinsurmountable odds. But God doesn’t even blink at the roadblocksin front of you. In one miraculous motion, He parted the sea beforeHis people and led them through on dry ground. And God can partyour “Red Sea” if and when He wants to.

God has already torn down the biggest obstacle we will everface, the veil of our sin that separated us from His holy embrace. Hewill, in the same way, lead you through every challenge you willever face.

MEDITATIONOnce He Came in Blessing

Once He came in blessing,All our sins redressing;Came in likeness lowly,Son of God most holy;Bore the cross to save us;Hope and freedom gave us.

Come, then, O Lord Jesus,

From our sins release us.Keep our hearts believing,That we, grace receiving,Ever may confess YouTill in heav’n we bless You.

Johann Horn, c. 1490–1547Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878,

Stanzas 1 & 4

PRAYERFather, I am made by You and formed for Your praise. By Yourmercy—and for Your name’s sake—You erased my record of sin. Iam face-to-face with obstacles where there seems to be no way out,no way forward, and no way through. Yet You have made a way tofreedom. I am confident You will lead me through what I am facing

today. I will wait in hope for You. Amen.

December 5

GLORY IN THE HIGHEST

Psalm 135:13 ESV

Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD,throughout all ages.

REFLECTIONGod has no equal. No rivals. No shortages. No needs. He is before

all things and at the end of the day He will be the last one standing.The world is filled with “little g” gods, but our God made theheavens and the earth. No one compares to Him. No one evencomes close.

So as you wait on Him today, give Him praise. Maybe yourcircumstances appear to be upside down, but His throne is decidedlyright-side up! Praise Him in the waiting. Exalt Him in thewondering. So don’t ask for much today, just keep lifting up theName above every name. Let that Name ground your heart and stillyour soul. Let your praise drown out all others who contend foryour allegiance and affection. When you do, your very song will liftyour thoughts to the very highest place.

MEDITATIONGlory in the Highest

You are the firstYou go beforeYou are the lastLord, You’re the encoreYour name’s in lights for all to seeThe starry host declare Your glory

Glory in the highestGlory in the highestGlory in the highest

Apart from You there is no godLight of the worldThe Bright and Morning StarYour name will shine for all to seeYou are the OneYou are my glory

And no one else could ever compareTo You, LordAll the earth together declares . . .Glory in the highest . . . to You, Lord

All the earth will sing Your praiseThe moon and stars, the sun and rainEvery nation will proclaimThat You are God and You will reign

Glory, glory hallelujahGlory, glory to You, Lord

Glory, glory hallelujahHallelujah

Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves,Daniel Carson, Ed Cash

PRAYERFather, what shall I say to You? You have no equal or rival. Mywords and my thoughts are so small when compared to You. I haveseen the starry night and it cannot hold a candle to Your glory.Expand my faith and give me words as I seek to join the anthem ofYour praise.

All praise is Yours, now and forever. I will walk in that truth today.I will believe it. And act like it. And pray like it. And give like it.And praise like there is none like You. Amen!

December 6

HOPE WHEN WE CAN’THOLD ON

Isaiah 40:27–31 (NIV)

Why do you complain, Jacob?Why do you say, Israel,“My way is hidden from the LORD;my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Do you not know?Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom.He gives strength to the wearyand increases the power of the weak.Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the LORDwill renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.

REFLECTIONThere are times in the waiting where you can start to think you’vedropped off God’s radar. It’s easy to think you’ve fallen through thecracks, or worse, been completely forgotten by God. From yourvantage point there’s only silence.

But God has not forgotten you or His promise. If you feel likeyou can’t make it one more step, or if you’ve already stumbled andhit the deck, He is holding out His hand. Even when you are falling,hope in the Lord, stand on His promise, no matter what thecircumstance, and you will find new strength—His strength—tocarry on.

MEDITATIONLet the Earth Now Praise the Lord

Let the earth now praise the Lord,Who has truly kept His wordAnd at last to us did sendChrist, the sinner’s help and friend.Bruise for me the serpent’s headThat, set free from doubt and dread,I may cling to You in faith,Safely kept through life and death.

Then when You will come again As the glorious king to reign,I with joy will see Your face,Freely ransomed by Your grace.

Heinrich Held, 1620–1659;Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.

PRAYERFather, bring me through the fire and rising tide. You have given theHoly Christ in exchange for my life. Will You not also, with Him,freely give me all things? I am clinging to You and waiting inexpectation. Don’t let me sink. Hold on to me. Amen.

December 7

BE STILL

A time of stillness as we wait in hope on the Lord.

Psalm 46:10–11 (ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among thenations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress.

REFLECTIONQuiet moments are rare and it can be difficult to find stillness, buttake a few minutes today to quietly and deeply consider the Lord.Try not to read or study or be distracted—just be still and meditateon the person of Jesus and all He has done for you. Think about Hisbirth, His infancy, and the dawn of light rising over a dark andweary world. Think about His death and sacrifice, and the gift oflife He extends to you. Meditate on His resurrection, His powerover the darkness and the grave. Drink in His presence and in thestillness seek His face. And think about His coming, the day youwill see Him face to face.

MEDITATIONTake a moment and just be quiet before Him. Think about Jesus andtake confidence in Him.

PRAYERFather, I am waiting here for You. Meet me in the silence. Meet mein this moment. Meet me in and through Your Son and by YourSpirit. Amen.

December 8

IN THE VALLEY OF DEATH,YOU ARE THERE

Psalm 23:4a (ESV)Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I willfear no evil, for you are with me.

1 Corinthians 15:55–56 (NIV)

“Where, O death, is your victory?Where, O death, is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanksbe to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONThere is no place of waiting and wondering like the graveside. Thefinal crushing blow of death is real. Yet, even at the grave, God isnear. In fact, especially at the grave, God is close to us. And Godunderstands.

Not only has God suffered the death of His own Son, while onearth Jesus experienced the physical death of those He loved. Heknows what you are going through and the loss you feel. He is verymuch in touch with your grief. He understands the agony of death.

Jesus faced death and the grave. He suffered and died. Yet,

through Jesus, the grave is overwhelmed. For those who hope inHim, death does not have the final say. And though the valley ofmourning and loss are daunting and long, joy will come in themorning.

MEDITATIONLow In the Grave He Lay

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior!Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

RefrainUp from the grave He arose,With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,He arose a Victor from the dark domain,And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!Hallelujah! Christ arose!Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior!Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

RefrainDeath cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior!He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

RefrainRobert Lowry, 1826–1899

PRAYERFather, give me grace as I mourn the loss of those I love. ThankYou for being more powerful than death. Because I trust in You, Iknow the grave will not be my final resting place. When You arose,

I also arose. Because You are alive, I am alive in You. Amen.

December 9

COMPASSION OVERCONSUMPTION

Today we pause to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

In the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “It is more blessed to givethan to receive.” (Acts 20:35b)

PRAYER

Father, I thank You that You are a giver and not a taker, and Youhave given so freely to me. Help me see how much I have in You.Please give me the opportunity today to share with someone elsewhat You so freely entrusted to me. Amen.