Patience is a Virtue

In Daily Devotional by Advent Conspiracy

Theme of the Week: Expectant Hope

Bible Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:68-69

It is often said that “patience is a virtue.” But when is it okay to give up patience? After 10 minutes? A year? A decade? A century??? The Israelites waited hundreds of years for God to raise up a mighty savior. Generations waited in hope. The Israelites did not give up on God’s promise.

After generations of waiting, Zechariah was visited by an angel of God who came with an astonishing message. Your long wait is over. Your hope is fulfilled. The messiah is near. God is entering the world in a new way that will fulfill hope and renew grace. Imagine that. Zechariah’s response to this astounding news is to shout a blessing. What a blessing he was to receive.

Today we have grown increasingly impatient.

We want what we want right now. That leaves little room for hope and trust that God will respond. Have you ever given up hope in God? In a world of quick responses, it is easy to give up on God when God doesn’t respond a quickly as Siri, Alexa, or Amazon Prime. But what would it look like to be patient and not lose hope?

Imagine what blessings God has in store when you surrender and practice patience like Zechariah. Practicing patience does not mean waiting a lifetime; it means being still and patient enough to await God’s wisdom which always comes.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me still patience in my busy life to look and to listen for You. As You were present in the world in the Incarnation, be present with me, that I may know the joys and blessings that you offer this season. Amen.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for coming as a baby into this world and we look forward to Your second coming as a King. Amen.

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About
Advent Conspiracy
Over a decade ago, a few pastors were lamenting how they’d come to the end of an Advent season exhausted and sensing they’d missed it – the awe-inducing, soul-satisfying mystery of the incarnation. So, in 2006, three pastors, Chris Seay, Greg Holder, and Rick McKinley, decided to try something different. They called it the Advent Conspiracy movement, and came up with four tenets to guide themselves, their families, and congregations through the Christmas season. The news spread quickly, a book was written, videos were created, and along the way a revolution was born.
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Advent Conspiracy
Over a decade ago, a few pastors were lamenting how they’d come to the end of an Advent season exhausted and sensing they’d missed it – the awe-inducing, soul-satisfying mystery of the incarnation. So, in 2006, three pastors, Chris Seay, Greg Holder, and Rick McKinley, decided to try something different. They called it the Advent Conspiracy movement, and came up with four tenets to guide themselves, their families, and congregations through the Christmas season. The news spread quickly, a book was written, videos were created, and along the way a revolution was born.