Philippians 3:20
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.
“We eagerly wait for a Savior”. As a new christian I couldn’t have said that sincerely. However, having walked with Christ for a while now, I can say that I do eagerly wait for Him. This is because I know Him. When I accepted Him 45 years ago I was introduced to Him. It took years to get to know Him. What a delight they have been.
Having heard sermons and read the bible I have learned of His many promises. I have relied on them again and again. I have learned that He keeps them. He is faithful to them.
I look back and see that I’ve been rescued and am still in the faith. I have stumbled and fallen, but I am still here walking with Him. That has developed much gratitude. It reinforces that He is able to keep me. I’m gonna make it.
Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God”. This verse has been a blessing over the past year. The Holy Spirit and our spirits are in contact. We feel Him. Amazing. God is in connection with us. I feel His peace and His pleasure right now. What a blessing. It’s like God is choosing to sit with us. He is not bored, He isn’t checking His watch in impatience. He is still and waiting. That took a long time to know that. He is so patient. I would have thought He would want us to know that almost immediately. Not so. He isn’t in a hurry. Trees take time to grow. It isn’t sped up. He’s ok with that.
Another verse that has become important is Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable (easy), and My burden is light.” The first thing that sticks out is Jesus’ description of Himself, He is “gentle and humble in heart”. How can God be those things. He is all powerful. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He allows our hearts their next beat. His is busy and important, yet He is humble and gentle. I think of a skittish animal or person. He knows their apprehensions. He can be patient and wait to build their trust. This is astounding.
The next part of these verses that stick out is that His burden is easy and light. To walk God’s ways would have seemed impossible. Like being given a riddle to figure out. Not so. The test for something being of God is the child test. Is this too complicated for a child? If so, it’s probably not of God. His way is a joy. Sure there is some challenge, but it makes us better. The more we learn of Him, the more we let go and trust. His way really is easy.
Jesus is inviting all that are burdened and weary. Life is beating them down. Jesus holds out His hand. That is so welcoming. It’s like driving through the desert and the tank is nearing empty. We turn a corner and see a gas station. Help is here. Relief is here. Thank You, God.
We have discussed several things that make us eager to see Christ. The first one was learning that His promises could rescue and give hope. Next we learned that God lets us feel His presence. So peaceful and joyful. We learned the amazing passage in Matthew 11. We learned that He is gentle and humble. We learned that His way is easy. This message is for the weary. He wants to trade burdens. His is easy.
We really do know God. We love and appreciate Him. He will keep us and bring us across the finish line. When we get to heaven we will know Him fully (I Corinthians 13:12). Right now we know Him in part. We look forward to the day we know Him fully.