Habakkuk 2:1-5

There was a little ditty I would often sing to my children as they were growing up, “Be patient. Be patient. Don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient you only start to worry…” They hated it! Waiting is so hard. We roll our eyes while waiting in a long line, or wait impatiently for that new job to open up, while needing that income NOW. We observe children and grandchildren waiting impatiently for the next birthday, or for Christmas to arrive. Waiting is HARD work!

Scripture tells us to wait patiently…for whatever. Habakkuk is told by the Lord to write his message on a tablet in large letters so a runner could read it and tell everyone else (v. 2), then the Lord adds to his message: it’s not going to happen right away, but the vision will eventually be fulfilled… even though it seems slow coming (v. 3).

This must have been the feeling the Jewish people had regarding the coming of the Messiah. Generation after generation waiting and waiting for a Messiah that seemed would never happen. 

But it did eventually happen. The announcement was made. An angel choir filled the skies. A group of shepherds were alerted out of their sleepy state. Three men who were considered wise and were constantly scanning the skies, saw an unusual star and quickly set out on a journey to find this new king. The waiting was at an end. But very few noticed or even cared. However, two elderly people were alerted by the Holy Spirit. They hurried to the temple that particular day, knowing in their spirits that the Messiah had arrived. One was a devote man named Simeon, the other a prophetess named Anna. These two were full of the Holy Spirit. There, in the temple, they saw a tiny eight-day old baby and were filled with awe. This was the Christ Child, the promised Messiah. The waiting had come to an end.