OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 35 - JUNE 2007

Dear Friends:

How are you this fine spring day? With school almost out, summer around the corner, and sunshine perking up the flowers, there is a sense of anticipation in the air. Anticipation of backyard cookouts, family vacations, swimming in the lake, and, for some, a few rounds of golf. There is an excitement and energy about life when we live with a sense of anticipation and an expectation about something good that is about to happen.

God knows that and, perhaps, that is why, all through his Word, he has built in hints and foreshadowing of what is to happen next. That way, we are not taken by surprise, we are ‘in” on the secrets of his great plan, and we can live with anticipation. Let’s explore that idea a bit.

When God called Abraham, he told him he would make of him a great people and through his offspring all the nations of the world would be blessed. But, he said, early in the history of this people, they would spend more than 400 years living in another country and would be captive for a good share of that time. After the exact time period was up, he would rescue them, take them out from their bondage, and make of them a great nation.

If you and I were living near the end of that 400 year period, wouldn’t we be living in anticipation: That someday soon there would be a big change? That God was at work even when it seemed that he wasn’t? That his timing would be perfect? We would never have guessed the details of our rescue, but we could have at least had the hope of God’s intervention. He built that anticipation into his plan when he shared it with Abraham and Abraham with Isaac and Isaac with his sons and grandsons after him.

There are many other key points in the history of the world where we see God building expectation and excitement of his plan into his people. He told them they would possess the land of Canaan even though it was filled with fighting giants. A few years later, after a few miracles, they were ensconced in Canaan, having families, raising sheep, and planting crops.

When they forgot their God and began to worship idols, he warned them, then punished them, and then rescued them over and over again. Finally, God told them he had had enough and they would be overtaken by the Babylonians and many of them would be carried away as prisoners of war. But not to worry, he said, learn your lesson, turn back to me and, and after 70 years, I will secure your release and you can come home, back to Jerusalem and the land of promise.

For those who believed, what anticipation there must have been in the later years of captivity! The clock was ticking and God was always on time. If we were there, we would have been wondering how God was going to do it and looking all the time for evidence of his hand at work. Living with that kind of anticipation would have made the time go by quickly and would have energized and enlivened us.

Probably the greatest announcement God ever made to his people was that he would, at some point in history, send his Son to be the Passover Lamb to redeem those who would believe on him. There was no specific time period given and, thus, many who for awhile lived in anticipation, began to forget to look for him. Others looked, but had distorted ideas by then as to what kind of redeemer they were looking for. So when Jesus came, only a few recognized who he was and worshipped him as the long-awaited Messiah, the very Son of God. But for those who hadn’t given up looking and anticipating his coming, the joy must have been life-changingly great!

So, what’s next on the horizon? God always seems to give us an idea of what is coming. And the answer, of course, is the return of Jesus. How do we know that is what is next and there is not going to be some big surprise to change the plan between now and then? I think the best “hint” we get is in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus established this memorial as a time to look back on his death and to look forward to his return. He says, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (I Corinthians 11:26). Looking back to his death, looking forward to his coming.

And that is what we anticipate with joy. When we do, we find we are energized. After all, the time may be shorter than we think, so let’s get as much done as we can. We are energized, too, just because we see God’s hand at work in the world around us, preparing people, events, and the earth for his coming.

As we look forward to the next great event in God’s plan, let’s enjoy all the littler anticipations and fulfillments along the way:

• The new baby (we have a new granddaughter in our extended household!) who holds the promise of a life of purpose and contribution to the world that needs renewed hope.
  
  
• The family gatherings this summer that will remind us of the great family of faith including fellows believers in this life and anticipating the reunion yet to come with those who have preceded us to Heaven.
  
  
• The garden bounty we wait for in expectation as we plant the tender shoots, water, and fertilize until the fruits and vegetables begin to grow and ripen. This food, pure and fresh from the hand of God, reminds us of his constant provision of the most basic of our needs.
  
  
• The prayers we pray with complete trust in the Father who hears and has the power to answer. We eagerly await his response, knowing that he will work everything, sometimes in surprising ways, for our good and his glory.

So, let’s commit during these next months to live our lives in expectancy as David said in Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

When we choose to live that way, there will be no dullness, no dreariness, no depression – only joy, hope, and eager anticipation of what God is going to do next! It will be a great ride!

Blessings to all of you today!

Bev

P.S. If you know of others who would enjoy receiving this newsletter each month, please encourage them to visit my website (www.beverlyvankampen.com), click on the newsletter icon, and enter their e-mail address. I would love to add them to our circle of friends.