Advent is a time of waiting. Some of us do it better than others. I have been with my grandchildren several times recently and heard them excitedly say, “I can’t wait!”  It didn’t matter if they were talking about Christmas or their birthday or an upcoming trip or when they get older. “I can’t wait!”

I’m sure God’s people had that same sentiment while waiting for the Messiah to come. “I can’t wait until HE gets here.” But wait they did. And when the time was right, God kept His promise.

Galatians 4:4–5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

One of the reasons I have grown to love the Advent season is that it reminds us of the importance of waiting. Our society is not accustomed to waiting for anything. We order something online and sometimes receive it the same day. We order food delivered to our door and it comes before we know it. We ask Siri or Google for answers and get them in a matter of seconds. We have forgotten the value of waiting. In a world where we expect instant gratification, it is good to be reminded of that waiting for something is not bad. Especially if we are waiting for the Lord to keep His promises.

I’ve included just a few of the passages that encourage us to wait for God to act in His timing. Ponder on these during this first week of Advent.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 37:34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 130:5–6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Lamntations 3:26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.