Waiting with Joyful Expectation

Waiting is never easy — especially when what we’re waiting for feels delayed or distant. But as our nightly prayer and devotional remind us, Advent invites us into a holy kind of waiting: one filled with hope, faith, and joyful expectation. Britt Mooney compares this anticipation to watching a movie trailer. Just as a trailer gives a sneak peek of what’s coming, God often gives us glimpses of His promises — small previews of His greater story of redemption. In Scripture, the Old Testament is full of these divine “trailers”: prophetic glimpses of the coming Messiah, the King who would bring peace, justice, and everlasting joy. The difference, of course, is that God isn’t trying to sell us something — He’s inviting us into a relationship of trust. Every promise in His Word points us toward the fulfillment of His perfect plan, which began with the birth of Jesus and continues until His return. But waiting requires faith. We can easily find ourselves doubting God’s timing, especially when the world around us feels uncertain. Yet Romans 8:25 reminds us that true hope is patient. It doesn’t demand proof — it rests in the assurance that God always keeps His word. During this Advent season, we remember how God’s promises were fulfilled in Christ’s first coming, and we live in joyful expectation of His return. Every fulfilled prophecy is a reminder that He can be trusted with the promises still to come. Let this season stir your heart with anticipation — not just for Christmas, but for the eternal joy that awaits when the Light of the World comes again. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE: “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”— Romans 8:25 MAIN TAKEAWAYS Advent invites us to wait with joyful, faith-filled anticipation for God’s promises. Scripture offers countless previews of God’s redemptive plan — all fulfilled in Jesus. God’s promises are never empty; His timing is always perfect. True hope is patient, grounded in trust rather than sight. The same God who fulfilled His promises in the past will fulfill them again. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Romans 8:25 Isaiah 9:6–7 Luke 2:10–11 2 Peter 3:9 Hebrews 10:23 YOUR EVENING PRAYER Heavenly Father,Thank You for the previews of Your promises throughout Scripture. As we enter this Advent season, align our hearts with divine anticipation. Forgive us for the times we’ve doubted Your faithfulness or trusted the world’s promises more than Your Word. Remind us how You fulfilled Your greatest promise through Jesus, the Messiah. Grow our faith as we wait patiently for Your kingdom of peace, justice, and joy.In Jesus’ name, Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON How has God fulfilled His promises to you in the past?Reflect on the ways He has proven His faithfulness in your own life. Where do you see God’s promises about the Messiah fulfilled in Scripture?Explore prophetic passages in Isaiah and the Gospels that reveal His faithfulness. What promises are you currently waiting for with expectation?Ask God to renew your hope and help you wait with patience and joy. CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer for daily reflections that inspire hope and strengthen faith. Visit LifeAudio.com for more Advent devotionals and Christian podcasts. Share tonight’s prayer with someone who needs encouragement to trust God’s timing this Christmas season. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.