“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” Acts 1:4
The disciples had been in despair, then they discovered their friend, mentor and teacher was alive again! He was the Christ, the Messiah! Once again he was in their midst. They must have been so fired up. And what does he tell them to do? Wait and do not leave on their own. A promised gift is coming. A gift they will need to do His will on earth – the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
When God acts in our lives, our first reaction is to run and tell everyone. Of course it is. We love to share good news, and what better news is there than God is alive and well and actively involved today. But we must remember all is for His glory and has a purpose. It is not about us, it is honoring Him who acted in our life. We need to make sure our telling points to Him and not us. We also need to be sure to armor ourselves with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, because we are now out in the open and vulnerable to attack by the one who wishes to silence the news.
What if your prayer has not been answered? Then you need to wait in Jerusalem. Wait for the gift that His Word promises will come. The gift of comfort, peace and counsel that Jesus spoke of throughout His ministry on earth and still speaks to in your heart. In the best timing of all, that gift will come. Pray you will recognize it and receive it openly. But until then, dwell in Jerusalem with Jesus and learn from Him. Draw near and see this time of anticipation as one of preparing. Your promised gift will come.
Dear Lord, we are not a people who like to wait. But Your ways are not our ways. Cultivate in us a sense of your timing and purpose. When you give us a gift, let us remember it is You who gave it and seek your guidance as to what to do with it. And, until then, let us dwell in anticipated peace and not be anxious or distraught. Let us learn the lesson the waiting is designed for us to know,. We pray this as we wait again for Your coming in glory. Amen
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18
