Waiting in Expectation
We're using my friend Gavin's song Father to help us reflect on how God is like a father to us. Let's listen to the pre-chorus.
Waiting in Expectation
In my dark room I would wait in expectation just to see
Though I could not see Him, He was right there next to me
You remember from yesterday that the song began with a child being read to by his father, who then says that the God who made all creation is going to be with you tonight. And so then this child says in my dark room, I would wait in expectation just to see this God, this father.
I love that word expectation. In fact, Gav uses it again later on in the song before the very last chorus in a different context, but the same type of idea that we wait in expectation for God.
Trusting in God’s Timing
In fact, the prophet Isaiah uses this theme all throughout his book in the Old Testament and we can learn a lot about how we can wait in expectation for God from Isaiah's words.
For example, in Isaiah 26:8, he says, “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you.” And so waiting on God doesn't mean being passive and doing nothing. It means living for him or walking with him and waiting for him to move as you do.
And in chapter 30:18, Isaiah writes, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you, therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.” And so we learn that God is longing to be gracious to his people, but he is also a God of justice. And so we can wait patiently, knowing that justice will come in God's time.
A Father’s Love
But think about this in terms of God as a father. Do you remember waiting in expectation for your dad to get home?
For me, my dad used to throw cricket balls to me in the backyard. I'd put my pads on, and when he was done with work, he would come, and patiently just throw one ball after the next to me and I would hit them all over the garden. And you know, those are precious memories to me. I remember being so excited to get to spend that time with him!
Other people don't have such good stories. They had to hide in fearful expectation of their father getting home. Very sad. And many people think that God the Father is like that, that we must fearfully tremble when He comes.
But friends, remember today that a word from Isaiah 30: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you and to show you compassion.” Wait in expectation to spend time with God. Because He loves you and cherishes you and gives you grace.
What if every day you woke up and you couldn't wait to spend time with God because He's your loving Father who cares for you? Will you hold that image in your mind today and wait in expectation for Him to touch your heart as you meet with Him?
