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Over seven hundred years before the Savior’s birth, Isaiah foretold: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders” (NIV, Isaiah 9:6).
Years passed; no Messiah was born. Did Old Testament believers begin to give up? Were some asking, “Isaiah, do you believe what you wrote? Is the coming of the Messiah ever going to happen?”
In his Epistle to the Galatians, Paul wrote: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (NIV, Gal 4:4-7).
The Messiah did come to Bethlehem (the location promised) and exactly at God’s set time. Isaiah’s promise was kept; the Savior was born just as God had foretold through Isaiah.
Paul not only explained that God waited until the time was right, but also adds other important information. The Messiah was born of a woman, born under the law. Our Savior, as a true human being, was obligated to keep the law. He did that perfectly. The Savior then took our sin upon himself and went to the cross to pay for every sin. His payment was complete; his resurrection on Easter Sunday morning demonstrates that God the Father accepted the payment. Then, by the Grace of God, Jesus Christ shared his holiness with each of us through faith! Paul emphasizes that now, through the work of the Savior, we are at peace with God, we are his children and are heirs of eternal life in heaven. We can call the Almighty God “Abba, Father,” a Hebrew term used by loved children in addressing their dear father. What an amazing happening. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are destined for a victory over death, a resurrection to life with a glorified body, and reigning with our heavenly Father in his eternal home.
God promised he will come again. This sick world will finally end. Believers have been waiting for 2,000 years for his return. Are you beginning to wonder, “Will it ever happen? Will God really return?” Remember the coming of the Messiah, finally appearing when God determined the time was right. He will return and take us to himself in heaven. We wait patiently knowing God’s Word is true and trustworthy.
Lord, take away any doubt I have of your return. Be with me and reassure me that you will come again, just as you have promised. Amen.”