But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4–5
At this season of the year, we remember the birth of our Savior. Although we don’t know the exact time of year Jesus was born, we know from this scripture and others that when He did come, it was at the exact right moment—“when the fullness of time had come.” God’s people, so many generations after Abraham had lived and died, had been waiting for and anticipating the Messiah’s promised appearance. We look back at His miraculous birth, incredible life, and substitutionary death with awe and trembling. Now we are a part of a generation looking forward once again to the coming of King Jesus. Might we be the ones to see His return?
I look forward to seeing Jesus, whether by death or meeting Him in the air. But until that second “fullness of time comes,” I look for some other things as well. Sister, is there something that you are looking forward to, something for which apparently God has decided “the fullness of time” has not yet come?
We all have things we yearn for and long to see, and yet for some reason or reasons that we may or may not know, we are left to wait and trust. Perhaps you long to see a marriage restored, a prodigal child return home, a womb opened, or a relationship mended. Ecclesiastes 8:6 says, “For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.”
As you wait and long for and look for God’s timing—take courage, sister. Remember Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Perhaps the key to our waiting is found in the very last part of that verse —“let your heart take courage and wait for the Lord.” It is our choice to tell our hearts to take courage and then a deliberate choice to wait for the Lord—NOT wait for the THING—whatever it is that we are wanting. When I choose to wait for the Lord, my focus is on Him, not on myself and what I want. When I focus on the Lord, I can choose to trust Him and His character. He loves me, He is faithful and true, and He is all powerful and all knowing. Because all of that is true, whatever I am waiting and longing for, I can lay at His feet.
Long ago when the fullness of time had come, God sent Jesus. And someday the fullness of time will come and Jesus will return. Hallelujah! Until that day, I can wait and trust, putting my hope in God, whether or not I see Him do whatever it is I long to see.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20
