Christmas Devotional 6: God is With You in the Waiting

Luke 2:8-12; Ephesians 6:13b

Cancer journeys are often more about waiting than doing. Waiting for the next treatment, the next scan, the next test, the next doctor’s appointment and ultimately the next bit of news. When you’re busy doing things, it’s easier to think that the news will be good. But, during all the waiting, your tendency can be to start thinking, “What if it’s bad news?” Me… I’m rotten at waiting. I’d much rather be doing.

Being a shepherd is all about waiting for bad things to happen. Shepherds are there to keep dangerous animals away, help a ewe with a difficult birth and of course, carry home a lost sheep. One night, on the fields in Bethlehem, the shepherds heard some good news.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 26

Answer the questions below using the previous verses. Who were living out in the fields? __________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ vs 8 Who appeared to them? ___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ vs 9

What did they bring? ____________________________________________________________ vs 10

What will the good news cause? ____________________________________________________________ vs 10

At first, we think that the shepherds could not possibly have expected a message from God as they were at work that night. But at the time of the first Christmas, God’s people had been waiting to hear from God for over 400 years. I have problems waiting for dinner; I can’t imagine waiting 400 years.

Some historians call this the 400 years of silence.(1) In Old Testament times, God sent His prophets to speak to His people. The last one was Malachi, and then God’s people began waiting to hear again from God. They waited, and waited and waited… until 400 years had passed. That’s a lot of waiting for some news from God.

• Maybe they thought that God had given up on them.

• Maybe some began to think that God really never cared at all.

• Maybe they began to doubt God’s power to make a difference in their lives.

• Maybe there were even some who thought God was punishing them. It’s easy to let your mind wander down paths like these in the silence. What has your waiting been like on your cancer journey?

“God, I know you are there…

“God, sometimes I am not sure you are there…

“God, I am not sure you are with me at all…

Complete these sentences above by checking any answers below that apply:

• but you seem quiet.”

• but you feel far away.”

• but I don’t understand what you’re doing.”

• but it’s hard to believe you are bigger than my cancer.”

• but I wonder if you are punishing me.”

• but I’m not sure you are stronger than this cancer.”

• Other _______________________________________________________________

“But it’s hard to understand why you have not

• answered my prayers.”

• relieved the pain.”

• removed the side effects.”

• shrunk the tumor.”

• removed the cancer cells.”

• made my friend/family member understand.”

• taken care of my finances.”

• taken away the loneliness.”

• told me how my cancer story ends.”

• Other ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Good news! God has given you lots of activities to do as you wait. They mostly center around super-powerful things like prayer, scripture and companionship. Some days these activities are easier to do than others. God knows cancer can make persistence tough.

I love this verse:

…and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13b

Two amazing, revolutionary ideas:

1. “Done all…” Being a “doer”, the first amazing thing in this verse is this idea that you can get to a place where you have “done all.” When I feel stressed or worried, my mind seems to naturally drift to “I should be doing something.” This verse is such a beautiful reminder that what I do is so much less significant than what God has done. On the cross, Jesus overcame not just death but every sin and ugliness this world can create- including cancer. Christ within you can not be touched by cancer. Hallelujah!

2. “Stand firm” To stand firm means to remember. Remember, even in the waiting, there is no news you can hear that God cannot carry you through. God is more than able to heal your cancer. God is more than able to protect you through any treatment. God is more than able to carry you to your heavenly home in His omnipotent, loving arms.

Remember - God is with you in the waiting. God is bigger than any bad news. You are His beloved Child that He adores. AMEN!

Jesus, There is so much to be done to push back the cancer from my life and yet I know, my acts on this cancer journey are nothing compared to Your mighty ways. Show me the contentment that can come from standing firm- with you. Thank You for claiming me as Your own. In You, I am more than a conqueror. In Your name I pray, AMEN