Anticipation

THE DREAM WAS IN HIS HEART

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

But the Lord said to my father David, “Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. -- 1 Kings 8:17-18

David understood the impossibility of realizing the fulfillment of everything he might anticipate, yet it was because he treasured so noble a dream as to build a house for the name of the Lord that Solomon was enabled to bring it to fruition.

AWAITING THE MOMENT

Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. Daniel 10:7

During the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia a vision came to Daniel as he stood near the Tigris River.

Why was this vision, so clearly perceived by Daniel, unseen by those who were at his side? The context indicates that Daniel had prepared himself for three weeks in anticipation of this golden moment. Preparation and expectation brought to Daniel that which was denied to the unexpectant and unprepared.

COUNTING THE COST

For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? -- Luke 14:28

Whether we are building a tower or a meaningful Christian life, we must realize that anything worthwhile demands sober forethought, a relinquishing of the trivial to make possible that which is more desirable, and a willingness to make the required sacrifices.

LIVING EXPECTANTLY

And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. -- Luke 2:38

The story of Anna, the aging prophetess who was in the temple on the occasion of the presentation of Jesus, is briefly told: a widow now, she was in the temple by day and night where she engaged in the pious disciplines of fasting and praying. Having recognized the child as the Messiah, she kept speaking of Him to all of those who were waiting expectantly for the deliverance of Jerusalem.

RECEIVED WITH JOY

And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. -- Luke 8:40

Is Jesus enthusiastically welcomed into our hearts, homes, and communities? After the curing of the demoniac, the Gadarenes begged him to depart from them, so Jesus returned to Capernaum, where the people received him with joy, for they were all waiting for him.

HEARTS TOWARD HEAVEN

And they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven. -- Acts 1:11

Like faithful Christians in every generation, their hearts were oriented toward heaven, to which they had seen their Lord ascend. The Christian’s anticipation of Christ’s return, as he promised, has been the basis for faith and a stimulus for Christian labor.