Hopeful Waiting

My grandmother had invited me to join her for a special event: the trip to
the airport to pick up her brother, my uncle Barton. I felt

grown up accompanying Nanny to the airport, so I decided to wear my
favorite outfit with my new navy-blue loafers for the occasion. But Uncle
Barton’s flight was delayed several times that day. As we waited, Nanny and
I walked all around the small lobby area over and over during those hours.

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We also walked to the restroom, to get a snack, to look out windows… and
still Uncle Barton didn’t arrive. I needed to give my feet a break after my
new shoes had rubbed blisters on them. So, I sat on a hard, plastic seat at
the airport gate and took off my shoes. I felt so relieved to have the
shoes off that I didn’t mind the people staring at me. I was too
uncomfortable to care.

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But as painful as the waiting seemed, it was worth it. Uncle Barton
eventually arrived for his visit, and we headed home. I’d been willing to
suffer through the miserable waiting because I knew we waited for something
worthwhile.

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In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah noticed the troubles around him and
yet still watched in hope for God, His Savior. He was looking forward to
the coming of the One who would be the light of the world, who would
shepherd His people with compassion, and who would make the way for us to
be forgiven for all our wrongdoing (Micah 7:8, 14, 18-19). Today we know
that Micah’s words are fulfilled in Jesus: He is the Light of the World,
our Shepherd who lavishes us with compassion. When we put our trust in
Jesus, we have new life in Him—life marked by hope. We trust in the One who
lived among us on earth, died on the cross, and then rose again so that we
could be forgiven and brought near to God. We also trust in His promise to
return and set things right. As God’s children who live in a broken, messy
world, we can watch for the Lord like Micah did. Even now, we can wait with
confidence that Jesus our Savior will return and restore His
creation—just as He promised. • Allison Wilson Lee

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• Read Micah 7:1-7. What kinds of brokenness was Micah experiencing? What
kinds of problems in your life or in the world around you cause you to long
for Jesus to return? Jesus invites us to be honest with Him about all our
pains and sorrows, knowing that He grieves with us and comforts us.
Consider taking a moment to talk to Him now. (If you want to know more
about what it means to know Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page.)

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But as for me, I watch in hope… for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7 (NIV)

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Mic.7