Waiting for Jesus

Jonah is so disappointed that he can't hear God's voice these days. "Why doesn't God talk so we can hear him better?" he asks me over his breakfast toast. My only answer is that I don't really know. Explanations about listening to God's word through the words and actions of God's people don't quite cut it in the 5 year old brain.

What are you wanting to hear from God? Jonah wants a full tank of gas for the van, Miriam wants to see baby Jesus, I'm waiting for the traditional "Well done, good and faithful servant." Wait, wait, wait, maybe that's why Black Friday can be so spiritual; we all hurry up with great anticipation of savings and then we wait....

Today's Psalm 79 includes:

"Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name's sake.
Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

Why should the nations ask where God is? Why do children long for the voice of their friend and comforter? Why do we look for God in malls and online, and forget to look in the manger?

The deliverer is coming. We will be saved, not from high prices, but from our sins. We will be delivered, not out of rising mortgages and health insurance premiums, but out of the despair and hopelessness of and God-empty life. We will receive help, from a baby in a manger, who dies on a cross with arms outstreched: "I love you."