Last year, around this time, we were preparing to travel to South America, and now we are excited to celebrate Christmas with our community. This is a season of great promises- the family coming together, the community celebrating anew (don’t forget the Carols on December 8th!), the church leading in the reflections of the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Promises are wonderful but sometimes they are also difficult- can we wait without losing hope?
The Greatest Promise
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.’” (Jeremiah 33:14) Promises are powerful, aren’t they? They keep us going when times are tough. Like a chorus to a favourite song, they echo in our hearts and minds. God’s promise to Israel in Jeremiah 33 is one of those promises—a melody of hope sung to a nation that felt like their world was crumbling. God promised a King, a Righteous Branch, someone who would set everything right. For them, it was a promise for the future. For us, it’s a promise already fulfilled in Jesus. And yet, we often struggle in the in-between, where we hold onto promises but wrestle with the waiting.
The Soundtrack of Waiting
Have you ever noticed how many classic songs are about waiting? Think about "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. That soulful melody captures the ache of watching, hoping, longing. Or "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons, with its raw energy of determination. Even "Patience" by Guns N’ Roses makes the waiting sound almost poetic— “All we need is just a little patience.”
Waiting is hard. Israel knew that feeling well. They were waiting for rescue, for restoration, for hope. And sometimes, we feel like we’re in the same boat—waiting for answers to prayers, for healing, for direction. But here’s the thing about God’s promises: they aren’t empty lyrics. God doesn’t sing about waiting just to string us along. He sings about hope because He knows how the song ends.
Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Promise
Jeremiah’s prophecy points to Jesus—the greatest promise fulfilled. He is the Righteous Branch, the King who came to bring justice and righteousness. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus opened the door for all of us to live in relationship with God. Here’s the twist: we’re not just sitting around waiting anymore. The biggest promise—the one about rescue and restoration—has already come true! It’s like realizing the greatest hit on the album is playing right now, but sometimes we’re too busy waiting for the next track to notice. Jesus’ arrival doesn’t mean we never wait again. Life still has its challenges, its questions, its long nights. But knowing Jesus means we don’t wait alone, and we wait with a promise that’s already been fulfilled.
Learning to Wait Well
So how do we wait in a world that often feels as chaotic as a band warming up before the concert starts? Here are a few lessons we can take from Jeremiah and Jesus:
- Trust the Composer
God’s promises aren’t improvisations; they’re part of a carefully written unique masterpiece. Jeremiah’s prophecy came true in Jesus, just as every promise God makes comes true. When life feels like noise, trust that God is still orchestrating something beautiful.
- Live the Chorus Now
Instead of focusing on what hasn’t happened yet, live in the reality of what God has already done. Jesus has brought forgiveness, grace, and love into our lives. That’s a chorus worth singing every day.
- Remember the Harmony
God’s promises aren’t just for you—they’re for His people, His world. When we focus on what God is doing in the big picture, it helps us see our own waiting in perspective.
- Sing Through the Silence
Even when you can’t see the answer yet, sing. Worship reminds us of who God is and what He’s done. It’s like hitting the repeat button on your favourite song—it keeps your soul steady.
A Promise to Hold On To
Maybe you’re in a season of waiting right now. Waiting for a job, for healing, for restoration in a relationship. Whatever it is, remember this: God’s promises are true. He doesn’t forget. And the greatest promise of all—Jesus—has already been fulfilled. When you’re tempted to focus on what’s missing, think about a classic song. Maybe even hum "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers as a reminder that Jesus is with you every step of the way. Or belt out "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" and remember that God’s love is unstoppable.
Closing Thoughts
Jeremiah 33 reminds us of a promise made long ago—a promise fulfilled in Jesus. And because Jesus came, we can trust that every other promise God makes will come true. So while we wait for the smaller things, let’s remember that we already have the greatest thing: Jesus, our hope, our righteousness, our song. And who knows? Maybe while we’re singing about Him, we’ll find that waiting isn’t so hard after all.
Now, go ahead and cue up your favourite playlist. Better yet, make a new one called “God’s Greatest Hits.” Start with Jeremiah 33:14-16 and let the music of God’s promises carry you through the week. Let’s sing loud, Carols or simply songs that bring us hope, joy, peace and His eternal love! This season is just staring! Grace and peace to us all!