What is it that we are waiting for? When the Lord comes again, what fruitfulness will he bring with him?

If we wait patiently and endure, fruitful days are ahead of us at the second coming of the Lord.

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-9, ESV).

What highway does God call his redeemed to travel? What does the pathway of holiness look like? What does it look like for us to walk as the redeemed of God?

The pathway of God is not like the pathways of this world. God’s highway is one of holiness. The redeemed of God walk in God’s way.

Isaiah spoke of God’s highway of holiness and his restoration, saying, “The burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isaiah 35:7-9, ESV).

What does it look like to have the revitalization and restoration of God in this desert life? When restoration is fully realized in this world, what will it look like?

God will restore the brokenness and barrenness of this fallen world. There will come a time when the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame made whole, the mute will speak, and dry and barren land will become a fertile garden again.

The Prophet Isaiah told of the coming restoration, saying, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:5-6, ESV).

Do you long for renewal? Do you look for a time where sorrows are replaced with joy and gladness?

This sin damaged world can be filled with brokenness and pain. We long for the renewal of all things where God will restore and renew all things—a time where God will give us his joy and gladness.

The Prophet Isaiah spoke of this time of renewal when he proclaimed, “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10, ESV).

Where do you draw your strength? Where do you find your surety? What keeps you free from anxiety? How do you walk in courage in the face of fear?

Our weaknesses can cause us to be insecure and unsure. This broken world can be unstable and anxiety producing. We can experience fear in the face of the fall.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’” (Isaiah 35:3-4, ESV).

How rooted is your faith? Can you historically trace your salvation through God’s salvation history with his people?

Our salvation through Jesus is rooted in God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises to his people. We have a rooted and grounded faith in our God who is faithful.

God promised King David that he would establish an everlasting kingdom through his lineage. God said to David, “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16, ESV).

How blessed are we to know and experience all the wondrous things of God throughout all the earth?

Our God is blessed because he alone does wondrous things and his name is blessed and glorious. The entire earth is filled with God’s glory.

The Psalmist, most likely David’s son King Solomon, wrote, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.” (Psalms 72:18-20, ESV).

Is there hope for life and fruitfulness in the face of death, despair, and hopelessness?

In a time of desperation for the Israelite people who had fallen into sin, and who were subject to judgement, the Prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, a shoot or branch from the lineage of the almost extinct line of King David—the dry and almost dead stump of the family tree going back to his father Jesse.

Isaiah proclaimed, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).

Where does God rest himself? What does the resting place of God look like?

In the days of old, God’s presence dwelled upon the mountain of God—the temple mount in Jerusalem—God’s holy mountain.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:9-10, ESV).

Where do we look for encouragement and hope? What is the best resource to find the hope of God for our lives?

There is hope found in God’s word. We are blessed beyond measure to have the Bible, the written word of God, for us to seek and to find the hope God desires to give us.

The Psalmist writes of the hope found in the word of God when he says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5, ESV).

What would the world look like without any more hurt or destruction? What would our lives look and be like without any more hurt or destruction?

This broken world is filled with hurt and destruction. We long for the hope and the peace that only God can bring at his glorious arrival.

God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah saying, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9, ESV).

In the face of a fallen world, darkness, and despair, do you still maintain hope? Where do you find your hope? In what, or in who, do you place your hope?

The good news of Advent is that hope is coming. The good news of the coming of Jesus is the truth that Jesus is the ultimate and sure hope we are seeking.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome reminding them of what Isaiah said, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” (Romans 15:12, ESV).

How are we supposed to live in light of the return of Jesus? What does the return of Jesus require of us?

Because Jesus is returning at a time we do not expect, we are to live expectantly, watchfully, and readily. We are to keep awake because our salvation is coming.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome, encouraging them with this truth by saying, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:11-12, ESV).

Have you received God’s blessing in your life? What does God’s blessing look like?

God desires to bless and to keep his children with his presence and delight, with his graciousness, and with his peace.

In the oldest blessing from the book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Pentateuch, Moses writes this blessing: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26, ESV).

Do you live in such a way that if Jesus returned right now you would be comfortable with how he finds the condition of your life?

Are you ready for Jesus to return? Is your house in order to welcome King Jesus when he comes again to judge the living and the dead?

The Nicene Creed professes that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” And “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.” Jesus is in authority and on his throne and Jesus will assume his authority and bring his kingdom here “on earth as it is in heaven.”

What are you thankful for? Can you list all the ways you are thankful to God?

We have so much to be thankful for. God’s goodness and providence is endless. We should give thanks to God with all our heart as we reflect on who God is and all God has done.

The Psalmist writes, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1, ESV).

Are you thankful for the people around you? What about the people closest to you, are you thankful for them? How do people know you are thankful for them?

We should be thankful for others and express our gratitude for them often. Being thankful and expressing it brings great joy and encouragement to others and to ourselves.

The Apostle Paul wrote of his gratitude for the church in Philippi and encouraged them, saying, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6, ESV).

Do kings have a king? Is there authority and power above every authority and power? Do rulers have a ruler? Who is your king?

God promised to give King David an everlasting kingship that would never end.

This everlasting kingship was what God spoke of through the Prophet Jeremiah, when he said, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6, ESV).

Why should we give thanks? What is the value of giving thanks? Is there a right or wrong time or circumstance to give thanks? Are you thankful?

People who are thankful are happier people. Giving thanks is essential for every follower of Jesus. We should rejoice, pray, and give thanks at all times. There is never a wrong time or circumstance to give thanks.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Thessalonian church encouraging them to give thanks, saying, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV).

Have you ever been transferred from a negative and dark place in your life to a positive and light-filled space?

God desires to transfer us from darkness to the light of his kingdom.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian church about this divine transfer, saying, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV).