Good morning!
Greetings in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. (Genesis 15:13)
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. (Genesis 15:13)
Abram (later called Abraham) left his country, his people and his father’s household to the land that God would show him with a faith on the promise given by God to him (Genesis 12:2-3). He would be blessed and made into a great nation. With the great faith, we followed God, and made a great journey without knowing where he would go. However, God was always with Him. He was made be strong and prosper, and his family and his wealth were increased as promised by God. One day, God came to him, and told the above. His offspring would be sojourners in a land that was not theirs, and be afflicted for four hundred years! Not a couple of years, nor several decades, but four hundred years, which is a really long time. As God told, his descendants had to go down to Egypt, which was not their land, and lived there while being afflicted for four hundred years. When the time came, God sent Moses who led them out of Egypt. They were taken to the promised land, which was the very land promised to Abraham by God. The journey to the promised land was not short. For forty years, they walked on the dry land, and overcome many difficulties and dangers. When they arrived at Mount Nebo, And the Lord said to him [Moses], “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” (Deuteronomy 34:4)
Moses saw the promised land, and was in full of joy. He gathered the twelve tribes and blessed each one of them. He died at his long age of 120 with a joy and hope, and Joshua succeeded him. Israelites finally were able to walk in the land as promised to Abraham more than four hundred years ago.
and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (Luke 2:37)
Anna the Prophetess’ husband was died only seven years after they married. Anna became a young widow. Being a widow, two thousand years ago in Israel, was not easy. Rather than being living in the pain and suffering of losing her husband in her young age, she
came to God, and dedicated her life to God. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. God gave her a promise that she would see Jesus. She saw young Jesus (only eight days old), who came to the temple for the purification rites required by the Law. As promised, she was able to see the Savior in flesh. Her heart was truly rejoicing, and she gave thanks to God. The long years of her prayer was answered. Anna and together with the people at the temple praised the Lord for God’s redemption coming through Jesus.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5)
Although Jesus revealed to his disciples multiple times what would happen: he would be killed on the cross for the sin of the world, and on the third day be raised. His disciples could not understand at all. Jesus also added what they should do: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Of course, the disciples could not grasp what was told by Jesus. When Jesus actually took the cross, they fled and hid. Peter, who used to say “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!”, actually cursed Jesus before a servant girl. After resurrected, Jesus came to His disciples. He touched their hearts, and gave love so that they have peace with Him. Then He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Holy Spirit, the promise of the God. They together waited although it was not safe to remain as followers of Jesus Christ at that time.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there cam from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)
They all together received the Holy Spirit as promised, and they were full of Holy Spirit. Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and gave a great sermon about Jesus. Those who heard this, they were cut to the heart, and repent and received the gift of Holy Spirit. Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 1:41) on the day. Great and glorious power of the God through Holy Spirit!
“Men of Galilee,” they said. “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Angels came to the disciples who continued looking in the sky after Jesus was ascending into heaven. The angels explained that Jesus would come back in the same way you had seen him go into heaven. A new promise was given to the disciples about Jesus who would come again. The same promise is given to us, and we are eagerly waiting for this promise, which cannot be compared with anything on earth due to the glory. We will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality (1 Corinthians 15:54). Therefore, the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Yes, the Day will surely come. Let’s continue stirring up each other with love of Jesus Christ. Together have the same hope in faith, and follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and carry our own cross as well as crosses of our brothers and sisters with prayers, supplications and thanksgiving. The Day will come like a thief without warning.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
Please feel free to submit your prayer request through web page.
Or download prayer App: iPhone, Android