Today's Scripture: Job 2:11-13 (read)
"You'll Never Walk Alone" is a famous song from the past. In my mind, I am writing a future famous song, "You'll Never Wait Alone." We wait for a favorite song to be played, for a text message, for word from the doctor or for that special someone. As believers in Jesus Christ, we wait with hope of the future because of what God has done in the past.
One of the greatest waiting stories is Job. Job had three friends who heard of his adversities. They wanted to do more than just think about him or feel sad for him. Their desire was to sympathize with and provide comfort to him. From a distance they saw his condition and shared in his grief. Perhaps, this is the most important part of the story. They sat with him seven days and nights and said absolutely nothing!
My family has lost count of how many hours we have spent waiting outside surgery doors or the waiting room. We have waited for that research article sharing a new cure. Waiting – the list goes on. We never waited alone. Each time God sent some precious person to share in our experience. Like the friends of Job, they did more than feel or think. They never tried to explain away our pain. They sat and shared God's love with their silence. As they had to leave our sides, they would tell us they would be waiting to hear from us soon.
As believers in the presence of God, we have waited during the victories and challenges of life. As we wait to celebrate his birth and wait for his return, may we realize, as the future famous song will read, "We'll Never Wait Alone."
Sam Timbrook is pastor of Prairie Grove Baptist Church in Columbia.
This 2011 Advent devotion originally appeared in the November 17 issue of Word&Way.
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