Anticipation
Remember when you were younger and you looked forward to birthdays, Christmas, and holidays? How about vacations? Because of our excitement, we’d often say, “I can’t wait!” The anticipation of joys to come made the wait hard to endure.
God’s Word reminds us that we have much to anticipate in our relationship with our Lord–So much to look forward to on our journey with God:
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
Scripture promises us that God is always with us and we can anticipate his loving care and protection as long as we have faith in Him.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
These words from Isaiah remind us that our wait will be worth it–Our Father will guide us during the wait, giving us courage and hope to keep going, even when (and especially when) we are tired.
Anticipation–Some time away with family
I’ve been waiting in anticipation for some time away with family. We’ll relax, enjoy being together, and play games. I’ll be able to take a break from social media (YAY!).
I will find rest.
This earthly joy will be temporary. But the joy we’ll have when our faith walk with Christ brings us to heaven–at the end of our earthly life–will be beyond anything we could ever imagine.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)
Do you have a favorite scripture about heaven? Have you talked to or heard of a person who experienced a “near death experience” and recalled a brief time in heaven?
What do you most look forward to when you go to meet Jesus?
Wishing you joy and blessings, my friends.
For further reading on the topic of anticipation, here is a great article from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
My mother had a NDE last year. She has dementia, and it confused her, but it comforted me.❤ I most look forward to a lack of human hatred toward one another and feeling a love from the Lord that is unfathomable.
I join you in that hope, Priscilla, that we can fill the world with love and hope and end war and hatred. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God’s love is beyond our understanding, yet we are the ones that are called to share His love with others.
It will be so wonderful for all our anxiety to be gone. God tells us to cast all our worries onto Him, but we still try to carry them. What a relief it will be to have no problems to deal with. Blessings, Katherine!
I know what you mean by carrying our burdens–even though we strive to leave our problems at His altar–we often pick up our heavy load and put it back on our shoulders. I agree with you, Barbara, it will be a joy to truly let go of our troubles and rejoice in our Savior’s love.
I love John 14:1-3. We used those verses for the celebration of life services for both of our parents.
I love those verses, too, Diana. My Father was a World War II veteran. He told me that those were the verses he kept close when he was in Europe. Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
I look forward to having every promise about heaven fulfilled. I’m also curious to see who it really is versus what I thought it would be like. One thing I know for sure, it will be better than what my mind can conceive of right now. Revelation 21:2.
I share your thoughts, Terri. I think heaven is going to be amazing–beyond anything we could imagine. And our Lord will be there to welcome us. We are so blessed!
I look forward to worry-free, everlasting peace.
Enjoy your break! I’ve really slowed my SM posting this summer.
I’ve slowed my writing and marketing for the summer as well, Candyce. We all need a break–that rest we find with God, in nature, and with family. I hope you have a wonderful summer. I think we’ll find inspiration in the rest.
Great advice, Katherine! I hope your time away with family is a wonderful time of relaxation!
Thank you, Kathy! We had a great week–restful and renewing. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and productive summer–and lots of fun, too!
Katherine, I look forward to that feeling of total belonging, of finally being home. God bless you!
Thank you, Annie. I look forward to safely being home, too. Peace and blessings!
I pray your time away was able to refresh your spirit Ms. Katherine. I join you in looking forward, with great anticipation, for the coming Day. May He come for His bride soon.
I came home refreshed and filled with joy at God’s plethora of blessings. We serve an awesome, loving, and merciful God and heaven will be beyond our imagination to understand. Wishing you a blessed week, my friend.