Waiting with Faith
Scripture: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” (Isaiah 35.5-6)
MAIN POINT: Living by faith means continuing to trust Christ’s promises even when we cannot yet see their fulfillment, keeping our eyes fixed on His return.
Isaiah’s prophecy paints a picture of complete restoration—blind eyes opened, deaf ears hearing, lame leaping like deer, mute tongues singing. John heard reports that these very miracles were happening through Jesus. Yet John himself remained in prison, still bound, still waiting. This is the heart of Advent—learning to live by faith in the time between promise and fulfillment. We must practice what is perhaps the hardest spiritual discipline: waiting with faith in the midst of doubt.
Don’t demand that God explain Himself on your timeline. Don’t abandon faith when His ways don’t make sense. Keep showing up. Keep praying. Keep gathering with God’s people. Keep receiving His Word and Sacrament. This is living by faith—trusting even when you can’t see clearly, hoping even when answers don’t come, clinging to Christ even when you’re scandalized by His ways. The JOY candle burns this morning as a promise: Jesus is coming. He will return. When He does, every question John asked, every doubt we’ve struggled with, every tear we’ve cried will find their answer in the fullness of His presence. Until then, we wait, we question, we struggle—and we cling to the One who calls us μακάριος (makarios), blessed, even in the scandal of waiting.
Reflection: Advent teaches us that the Christian life is not about having all the answers but about trusting the One who is Himself the Answer. What spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, Scripture, community) will help sustain your faith during this season of waiting? How can you shift from demanding explanations to trusting in Christ’s character and promises?
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen my faith to keep trusting until You return. When doubt whispers, remind me that You called John blessed even in prison. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Responses