iCrucified

Advent Meditation: While We Wait [04DEC2010]

We are not alone; we wait with divine witness…

While we wait the Holy Spirit is among us and also dwells within us. He ministers peace, comfort, and bears living witness to the promise and hope for Christ’s return. I am greatly encouraged this morning as I spent quiet and reflective time alone with God this day. As I sat in quiet repose I sensed the Lord’s words to me that our confidence should be without fail. He has given us all that we need to endure, overcome, and flourish in any situation or circumstance for the duration of our wait for His return. His coming is imminent even if not in my lifetime, so I might grow faint…I might grow weary…I might find myself with doubt and in despair. The Spirit speaks to me; “No, I am here to strengthen you and grant you the assuredness of My power, so your confidence may be certain.” As I dwelled on this “word,” additional and supporting thoughts were brought to my mind…

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify on my behalf.” John 15:26

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs to deep for words.” Romans 8:26

So, not only is His Spirit near, His Spirit is here and now! His Spirit brings confident and expectant hope always and in every season…even when I am without knowledge or words for what to do in my “season” or circumstance. Hallelujah! Our greatest weakness is our short-mindedness. We are quick to forget these promises; oh, we might remember them in word, but remembering them by experience and living upon that experience is a different matter entirely. We should be confident enough in our faith to stand upon the promise of God’s With Us Presence to enable us through weathering any situation this life may push our way. We are an equipped and empowered people! We are given all we need to grow to complete maturity in His Grace… check it out:

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (2 Peter 1:3-7)

This is encouraging news! And, there were some additional words brought to my memory from the guidance of God’s Spirit in me this morning. I heard these words:

• We have His (Jesus) Witness in the Person of the Holy Spirit
• We are given His (Jesus) Authority
• We share His (Jesus) glory

This is pretty “heavy and heady” stuff. Just the thought of it sounds a little over the top. I mean, having the same authority as Jesus? Sharing His glory? Really?

Empowerment  =  Authority  =  Confidence

Well, yeah… Really. Certainly there are some qualifiers and disclaimers that surround these statements. It assumes a repentant and right heart; it assumes a follower who has denied self and is passionately seeking to grow in a progressively maturing relationship with Jesus among other things, but at the most basic understanding these professions of faith are true.

Jesus said that all authority had been given to him. His testimony is sufficient, but it is confirmed through supporting testimony as well. He (Jesus) has the right to transfer and/or delegate His authority as He sees fit. He has delegated and authorized His followers as bearers of His authority, conveying all the power necessary to accomplish any task He has given to us. Similar to Jesus’ words to Pilate; “no one and nothing has any power over him except he grants it to be so” (John 19:11). The same is said for us as His followers. The only power that overcomes us is the power that we allow to overcome us. Jesus said some other incredible things that also give support to this faith profession. Let me encourage you to meditate and reflect upon these supporting passages (Matthew 28:18; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19; John 14:12-13; Jude 1:25; John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20). These are just a few, but I believe they will begin the “rough outline” of an incredible portrait of our position and identity in Christ… As WE WAIT confidently, expectantly, and most assuredly.

One final item that has captivated me over the past few days… check out this progression. I won’t comment on it, but wanted to share what an awesome and incredibly empowered place we live with God’s Holy Spirit guiding us and comforting us. God’s gift of His grace makes us aware of the depravity of our sin and barrenness of hope…in this state He will not share His Glory… and, well… see for yourself how things can progress (if you believe and if you follow)

• He will not share His glory (Isaiah 42:8)
• We have seen His glory (John 1:14)
• We have touched His glory (1 John 1:1)
• We have been given His glory (John 17:22)
• Also refer back to 2 Peter 1:3-4

Absolutely incredible and almost beyond our ability to even grasp, much less comprehend, but there it is. Do you feel loved, empowered, assured, and confident? This is the Comforter lovingly assuring and guiding us While We Wait.

Tell the godly that all will be well for them… (Isaiah 3:10)

Lectionary Readings for the day: Cycle A

Isaiah 4:2-6   —   1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   —   Luke 21:5-19