The pioneers took up to six months to get from Missouri to California. Now, it takes less than six hours by plane. In 1860, the fastest way to get a letter from Missouri to California was by Pony Express. It took ten days. Now, the fastest way to send a letter is by email. It takes ten seconds. Research used to be a long and laborious process. Now, the internet provides instant access to vast amounts of information. Add AI (artificial intelligence) into the picture and who knows how fast our desires will be satisfied? As a result, we can easily become a people who desire instant gratification.

Six thousand years ago, God gave Adam and Eve the promise of a coming Savior. Eve thought that baby Cain was the fulfilment. It soon became evident, however, that he was a sinner, incapable of crushing the power of Satan. So, the people waited and waited.

It was three thousand years after creation that a man named David became king of Israel. He too waited: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." (Psalm 130:5-8) So, the faithful waited, but others wanted instant gratification of their desires. Instead of waiting in righteousness, they plunged themselves into sin and idolatry.

In love, the Lord disciplined them. Moreover, He sent prophets to graciously warn the recalcitrant and encourage the faithful. New details about the Savior were slowly released: Who He would be, where He would be born, and what He would suffer for the redemption of His people.

Over the next thousand years, believers repeated the words: "My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning." And, they were not put to shame. At the right time, in the right place, and to the right mother, the Savior was born, Christ the Lord. It was as Isaiah promised: "Israel shall be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever." (45:17)

After completing His redemptive work, Jesus entered into glory. On that occasion, the angels told the Apostles, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) Two thousand years have passed since then. Two thousand years! The scoffers laugh and say, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:4)

We talk about the second coming, but it hasn't happened. Learn from the Old Testament believers and wait for the Lord. The time is not right, yet. The last of the elect has not been saved, yet. Therefore "we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, who are waiting in confident expectation, you will not be put to shame. It will happen—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

The desire for instant gratification doesn't fit the Christian life. The Lord will come when He is ready. "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:25-26) "Blessed are all those who wait for Him." (Isaiah 30:18)

"'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20)

John Pfeiffer is retired from the pastoral and teaching ministry. He is a former president of Immanuel Lutheran College.