Listen

Shepherd of Israel, listen! You, the one who leads Joseph as if he were a sheep. You, who are enthroned upon the winged heavenly creatures. Show yourself before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh! Wake up your power! Come to save us! Restore us, God! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!

Psalm 80:1-3

Think

They were exhausted, hungry, in desperate need of a shower, and completely fired up! For 36 hours they had waited in line to buy tickets to the concert, and even with that they were a good twenty back from the front of the line. For some, the choice to spend 36 hours out in the cold to see someone in concert seems completely ridiculous. Why would you endure sleep deprivation, bad food, and inclement weather for a concert? Because some things are not only worth waiting for, they are worth sacrificing for. And for some fans, the preparing, the waiting, and the anticipating are all part of the experience.

God’s holy people waited a long time for God to “come to save us!” In the meantime, there was great struggle and much sacrifice. Yet amidst it all there was incredible faithfulness. The people of God faithfully learned how to live and, even more importantly, how to love in the preparing. Waiting is not easy for most of us, yet if we see it as an opportunity for blessing, we too will find love in the preparing.

Brian Prior

Pray

Loving God, prepare me this day for the walk with you, which often calls for much waiting. Please give me strength and patience for the journey. Amen.

Go

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

For this day, I know I am a beloved child of God.