You are O LORD our God. Therefore we will wait upon thee. (Jer 14:22-15:1 KJV) Through our Lord Jesus Christ we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:1-2 KJV)

In God we trust. That is why we wait for him. Because he is, who he is, and because he has told us of the things to come, therefore we look forward to them happening, him coming and us seeing, what we have already believed on account of his promises.

Jesus Christ himself is the fulfilment of God’s promises of old. All that he said to our forebears, the patriarchs, the ancient people of Israel, the prophets and kings of old – he has made that true through his only begotten Son – the Messiah – the long-awaited, the promised one, the first born of the blessed Virgin Mary, eventually born in Bethlehem, revealed to sages from the East, proclaimed by St.John the Baptist as the one, who was to come and save Israel and the world. In him, who appeared in public to fulfil his godly mission, did so in faithful obedience to his heavenly Father and all for us and our salvation. He called the lost of Israel, returned the forgotten sons and daughters of Abraham, but also those from Samaria and all those beyond the exclusive borders of Israel – yes, even us gentiles from the ends of the world – by grace to behold his glory as the only begotten Son of the Father – full of grace, peace and mercy. He called us to trust, that we do are heirs of his kingdom, because he holds open the door, invites us in and makes us partakers of the divine promises from of old.

He has done so – not because of what we did or were, but rather because of his infinite goodness, love and kindness, which is new every morning and holds true in eternity. That is why we, who are baptised into his family and united with him in a most profound and lasting way, live in confident assurance awaiting his coming in glory and his final completion of all that, which is still left outstanding. This is just a matter of time. It won’t be long any more and although we know, that with him a thousand years are but as the day that went by yesterday and but one night watch and even if we know, he will come suddenly and surprisingly like a thief in the night, still we are attentive and alert to his possible arrival any time soon. For if we are dead or alive – none of us will miss out his 2nd coming in glory. He is not going to forget anybody, but we will all appear before his mighty judgement throne and see at last, what we have believed long ago already, because he has assured us of it and promised that he will do so. He, who has promised this is faithful, he will surely do it in his good time and to our eternal benefit and final salvation. Amen.

Just as I Am, Without One Plea
By: Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just a I am; thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Hymn # 359 from Lutheran Worship
Author: William B. Bradbury
Tune: Woodworth
1^st Published in: 1836