A passage read about a week ago has continued to find a way to stay in my thoughts. Perhaps it is because my One Word 2022 is “Wait”, and my word waited until after the summer to appear repeatedly in my reading.
One of the definitions of “wait” is: “to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens” (dictionary.com).
“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (1 John 2:28, NASB)
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3, NASB)
These Scriptures have become a source of encouragement to my soul in these days we are living. Exactly what is John telling us?
- Abide in Him. John encourages us to abide in Christ – meaning to have a continual and deepening relationship with Him.
- Have confidence in His return. John wants us to remain in close relationship with Christ because of his certainty of Jesus’ return. It is not a matter of if, because He surely will return. It is a matter of when and the timing of this will always remain unknown.
- Keep our hope fixed on Him. As we abide in Him, we gain a hope not only in His return, but also in seeing Him and being like Him. Our hope comes solely from Christ, and abiding in Him.
- Remain pure. This hope will grow an awareness in us to remain pure and live a life of holiness. We cannot achieve this on our own, but only as the Lord indwells us and enables us to do so. We pursue holiness, making it our aim, each and every day.
John not only reminds us of the return of Christ,
but he tells us how to live as we wait.
“Abide in Him.”
“Gratitude as the feeling of joy toward someone showing me an undeserved kindness, or grace.” As we draw closer to Thanksgiving, Donna Bucher shares beautiful encouragement in her post The Grace of Gratitude HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
Your words today reminded me of the hymn, ”˜my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ my righteousness.’ Abiding, having confidence in his return, hoping, and making right choices is a work of a lifetime””but as we practice each one of these, they become habits that help us wait.
Yes! It’s amazing how the old hymns come back to mind, bringing truth for us today. Anita, you are so right – as we practice each of these, we develop habits that not only help us wait but keep us on solid ground. I am grateful we share the same word 🙂
Joanne, this is a wonderful post for today, given the current state of uncertainty in our country after the election. Your four points are gentle guidance for every believer who wants to live and interact faithfully in the world. I thought of you when I read this verse this morning: “I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning–more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6) Hugs, friend!
Amen, Lois. May we be faithful watchman! And I so appreciate that you thought of me!
We all can relate to this, Joanne. At any given minute, I suppose we all are waiting on something or somebody. Knowing that Jesus is always with us, even in the waiting, makes it a bit more bearable. We never have to wait on his love.
Lisa, I never thought of us all as waiting, but you are right! I’m grateful we never have to wait on His love, nor His presence with us. Grateful you shared!
Waiting for anything can be hard. But, I have found that in those times “in-between”, God is doing a good work. So often we can run from one thing to another and miss what He is trying to show us in the middle… it the time we are waiting. You post is a great reminder to abide in Him, stay confident, pure and to remain focused on Him.
Blessings, Jo
The “in-between” can be the place where God does His best and deepest work in our lives! Grateful you shared!
Joanne, what great thoughts on active waiting-for God doesn’t call us to be stagnate, but as you reminded us, to rest in Him, have confidence in Him, fix our hope on Him and remain pure. Praise God He is at work even in our waiting!
Thank you for kindly featuring my Grace and Gratitude post here too! What a blessing you are to me, dear friend!
Yes, Praise God He is at work even in our waiting! Grateful for you, friend!
Amen. While we wait, we can find comfort in resting with the Father.
Waiting is such a beautiful time in His Presence, Joanne, as we enter into a deeper rest, a deeper trust, and a deeper abiding. Waiting in His Presence is so precious!
Looking around us in our nation and the world at large, it would be extremely discouraging if we didn’t believe that Jesus is coming back for His bride. But waiting can be hard. May we grow in our faith and trust in Him so we can “wait” better and may our concerns cause us to share the gospel more.
I enjoyed your post and the comments. What came to my mind is the advent of winter and the long wait for spring. Winter is the hardest month for me, with less light, a barren landscape, and lack of color and growing things. Yet God has been showing me that He has purposes for winter as we wait in hope for spring. I can wait in dread because if the dreariness around me, or I can wait in joyful anticipation. There’s so much in nature that parallels our spiritual lives.
Barbara, I so appreciated all you shared. It’s funny as I have been noticing how God is preparing my heart for this Advent season. I will be praying that this winter will be easier on you, yet fill you with joyful expectation.
Joanne, thank you for your encouragement here. When I keep my focus on waiting with and for God waiting turns into a joyful time. Sometimes I have to be reminded of this when I get impatient! But with God’s help I am learning!
I’ve been reading Elizabeth Goudge’s book, The Dean’s Watch – and the word “adhere” is used with a child who finds herself in a place where she wants to be and doesn’t want to move – she adheres further, more deeply and firmly. When I read this, I thought how I want to abide in a deeply adhering way – to press in closer to Him who holds me in the abiding time! Your post was a great comfort to me today! Shalom, Joanne! ~ Maryleigh
Having coffee with you today. I love how your word has been showing up in Scripture. These points you made are so encouraging.
Visiting today from #19&20
Abiding in Him also reminds me that are identity is in Christ, and what true freedom that is even when the world seems a bit crazy!
Joanne, hi! For some reason, waiting doesn’t seem quite as hard as it used to be. Maybe over time it’s finally sunk in that the Lord is right there in the waiting room with us and He brings peace everywhere He is.
All will be well.
Enjoy your weekend, friend!