Come Thou, Long-Expected Jesus
I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Haggai 2:7 (NLT)
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
-Charles Wesley
For centuries prophets proclaimed, and God’s people waited and longed for the coming of God’s promised Messiah. The fulfillment came in God’s perfect time. Joseph, Mary, Shepherds, Anna, Simeon, and a multitude of the heavenly host, all witnessed His coming upon the earth when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Two millenniums have passed, and the same longing that was once in the hearts of God’s people who waited for Christ’s first coming, is now in the hearts of those who wait for His anticipated return. God’s prophets have proclaimed it in the Scriptures and its fulfillment is certain.
Our next footsteps will are now walking down the pathway of 2023. We will walk as pilgrims, as strangers in a strange land, as lights in a dark world, and as ambassadors of another kingdom whose King is Christ. We will walk with an eternal purpose, and destined for an eternal city, whose builder and maker is God.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
-Charles Wesley
Where will we walk in 2024? God will direct. Why will we follow? To see fulfilled in us God’s good plan and purpose. How will we walk? Let us consider some of the ways…
Walk in boldness. The righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV)
We would walk in trepidation and fear if we had to walk in our own righteousness. We would cower at the sound of every roar of evil. But Christ is our righteousness. There is no flaw in Him that would cause us to run or be timid.
Walk with strong desire. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. Psalm 42:1 (NKJV)
We need our Father. We need our Savior. We need our Comforter. As a child needs a father, so we need Him; as a lamb needs a shepherd, so we need Him; as a broken heart needs consolation, so we need Him; as the hungry one needs bread, so we need Him; as the thirsty one seeks a well in a desert place, so we need Him.
Walk in faith and expectation. When you came down long ago, You did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like You, Who works for those who wait for Him! Isaiah 64:3-4 (NLT)
We live in the Kingdom of wow where God reigns! God did, God does, and God will do wonders. No one has stripped Him of His might. He is the God of miracles. Look to the Lord, not to do fewer things, but more things; not to do lesser things, but greater things; not to do some things, but all things.
The greatest wonders are not in nature but in grace…as the spiritual is the home of wonders, so also is it the field of brightest exploits. Faith unites the weakling with almightiness. –J.H. Jowett
Walk in total dependency. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. Psalm 73:25 (NKJV)
Have no other plan but His plan. Have no other option but Jesus. Trust in no other power but that of the Holy Spirit. Place 0% confidence in the flesh and 100% confidence in the Lord. Without Him we can do nothing; With Him all things are possible.
Walk with gratitude. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Our hearts were made to be filled, not with bitterness, but with thankfulness. It takes no grace to complain. Peace is the partner of thanksgiving…“In everything give thanks.” Thank Him for His names, His blessings, His grace, His love, His mercy, His goodness, His glory, His beauty, His ways…the list can go on and on and so can our thankfulness.
Walk in the joy of your Salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Isaiah 12:3-4 (NKJV)
Through God’s grace, goodness, tender mercies, and everlasting hope, we have been given a happy heart. His love brought us our salvation, and it is only in His salvation that we are assured of living happily ever after.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our entire Devotional Library. To read more from DaySpring's co-founder Roy Lessin, follow his Facebook page Meeting in the Meadow for weekly devotionals and inspiration. Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive free articles, updates from our Ecard Studio as well as exclusive deals.
