Love directs itself to its object. What then is our object as the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus? For Christians today, many, yes, very many objects appear before our eyes daily. From some we are instructed, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way" (Psa. 119:3737Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. (Psalm 119:37)). Do we know from which ones to turn away, and do we know what object can fill and satisfy our hearts? "Mine eye affecteth mine heart" (Lam. 3:5151Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city. (Lamentations 3:51)).
An excellent verse for us is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:55And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It says, "The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
In love God sent His Son down and He finished redemption's work. Then, the disciples saw Jesus ascend, and they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up. Now, we are told to seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:22Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)).
The Lord led His disciples out as far as Bethany and they saw Him ascending to where He now is—in the presence of the Father. The object of their joy was in heaven. What next? They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. What was the secret of their joy? Was it anything on earth? No! and we also shall not find anything on this earth to fill and satisfy our hearts.
What shall we say about the patient waiting for Christ? In Luke we find a patient few who were looking for the coming of Christ when He came the first time. The Messiah was clearly promised in the Old Testament, and where He would be born was foretold as well. Also it says that He should be born to a virgin.
Zacharias and Elisabeth, Joseph and Mary, Simeon and Anna were among those who were waiting and living in expectation of Christ's coming. They were not disappointed. Imagine the joy in Simeon's heart as he said, "Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people." Now notice what is said about the prophetess Anna: "She corning in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Doubtless, some living today fit into the Lord's teaching when He said, "I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:2727But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:27)).
Perhaps this verse of poetry will help us to wait patiently for Him.
We wait for Thee—Thou wilt arise
Whilst hope her watch is keeping.
Forgotten then, in glad surprise,
Shall be our years of weeping.
Our hearts heat high, the dawn is nigh.
That ends our pilgrim story
In Thine eternal glory!
Ed.