“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 We can only imagine how the disciples felt as they saw Jesus ascend into the heavens, leaving them behind. But angels appeared to them, giving them a promise that one day Jesus would return in like manner. I am sure that…
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5 Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He met one last time with His disciples and gave them instructions. They were all to go to Jerusalem and spend time together because something special was going to happen. He did not give them an exact time, just told them to wait. He promised them that they would receive the power they needed to continue His kingdom work. (Acts 1:8) One hundred and twenty believers gathered in the Upper Room, united in one goal and purpose. Hours were spent in prayer. No doubt the apostles shared the teachings they had received from Jesus. Perhaps there were discussions about just what would happen when Jesus gave them the gift He had promised. They waited with anticipation as they worshipped the Lord together. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The wait was over. There was a sound of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of fire…
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 The above scripture promises both salvation and healing. We sometimes question why healing is granted to some and not to others. Of course, we realize that going to be with the Lord is perfect healing, because we know that there will be no more suffering in Heaven. So, we rest on God’s promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Some examples of waiting for healing from the Bible: Lazarus – Jesus received news that Lazarus was sick, yet He waited four days before He went. By that time, Lazarus was dead, but Jesus wanted to show the disciples something. Jairus’ daughter – Jesus was on his way to pray for her when he was interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood. Jairus had to wait while Jesus stopped to minister to someone else in need. The man at the pool of Bethesda – For years he had waited at the pool, hoping to be healed. But someone else always reached the waters…
“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:11-13 We are all familiar with this story Jesus told to illustrate how much God loves us. Those of us who are parents can sympathize with the father in this story. His younger son decided that…
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5 David was just a youth when Samuel anointed him to be the King of Israel. Perhaps at the time, he did not understand fully what that meant. He went back to looking after his father’s sheep. No doubt he thought often of what the future might hold for him, but in the meantime, he continued to worship the Lord. Probably many of his psalms were written during this time of waiting. They express his great love for the Lord and desire to please Him in the way he lived. God had chosen him to be a king, but there would be a waiting time before this would happen. He would be tried and tested. He would protect his flock from the lion and the bear, showing him that the Lord was with him. This gave him courage when he faced Goliath on the battlefield. For a time, he would play his music for Saul, giving him some experience of what life was like in the palace. His friendship with Jonathan was a blessing to him.…
“And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:7 Joseph was just a youth when God gave him a dream. Not really knowing what it meant, he told his brothers. This made them truly angry and turned them against him. Even his father, Jacob, though he loved him greatly. thought he was being foolish. God was showing Joseph that He had a special position to fill. But it was not to happen right away. He would have years to wait before he saw the dream fulfilled. But as we read his story, we realize that it somehow gave him a determination to live a life of integrity and wait for whatever God had in store for him. He suffered at the hands of his brothers as they placed him in a pit and then sold him to the slave traders. He suffered temptation in Potiphar’s house and stood firm in his convictions, even though it caused him to be sent to prison. He waited. He won the favour of the prison warden and was an example to the other prisoners. After interpreting the dreams…