Articles
Something Anticipated
Something Anticipated
Summer is coming. Vacations are being planned. The excitement is building as time gets closer.
Weddings, first day at work, date night, worship on Sunday, first day of retirement, grandchildren’s visits, driver’s license, and graduation. What a day of anticipation those days are!! People cannot wait. People long for those days. There is so much anticipation with each one of those moments. We are so, so excited.
Anticipation causes us to forget so quickly about the past. Sad days are soon gone when a glad day is coming. Gloomy days no longer concern us, when a sunny day awaits. All our failings fade when repentance is experienced, and a new day arrives.
A day of anticipation God speaks of is the assembling of His saints together in worship (Hebrews 10:25). This is God’s time to hear the saved commune with one another in fellowship of song, prayer, study, teaching, giving, and remembering His Son in the Lord’s supper. Each day of assembly should be anticipated with a desire to learn, grow, and serve. It is from this time of worship a Christian anticipates the opportunity to serve in the world and show for the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9,10).
ONE day Christians should give attention to and anticipate is the “welcoming day” into God’s presence forever. In His presence, days will not matter. There will be none. We will love in joy. A perfect place has been prepared for those who have faithfully followed His calling (John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:3-4). We will see Jesus and be like Him (1 John 3:2). We will abide in the midst of God’s glory. This will be a great day to anticipate after we have wholeheartedly labored and lovingly toiled in the kingdom of God’s Son. All those days we once anticipated (i.e. vacation, graduation, wedding, etc.) as we lived from year to year will not compare to the ONE DAY. What a day that will be. For this day to be yours, be prepared. Stretch and press forward (Philippians 3:13,14).
