As we’ve been reading scripture through this advent season, the Bible is telling one story leading to the coming of the Messiah, the birth of Jesus. The stage has been set, in fact the plot put in motion since creation and the fall. Sin brought brokenness to the world, separation between God and humanity, constant struggle between people, and all creation bore the consequence of the continual ripple effects of sin.

Into that brokenness, God, in covenant with man, foretold of the promised rescue and redemption. There would come the promised Messiah who would save the people from their sins, a King whose kingdom would never end, a Savior who would bring true peace to all creation.

And yet… time kept ticking on… and darkness grew… and the people waited. Through shattered covenants, failed kings, fallen kingdoms… through captivity, into exile… and in darkness the people waited… waited holding onto hope of Immanuel, God with us…

“It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn.”

But… how much darker will it get?

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 4:4-7

When the fullness of time had come… all that was foretold, all the prophecies spoken, all these were set to be fulfilled at the perfect moment in time, at the moment that all time had been leading up to when God’s perfect plan would be fulfilled.

Not just a couple prophesies (as if that wouldn’t have been enough)! The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies that spoke of the coming Savior. And God worked all things to this perfect moment, the fullness of time when Christ would come!

The Messiah, born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16), from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:33), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7), a star would point the way (Numbers 24:17, Matthew 2:1-2), he would be presented gifts (Psalm 72: 10-11; Matthew 2:11), would come to save the people from their sins (Psalm 130:7-8; Matthew 1:21).

God was working all these things in the fullness of time.

As God’s people waited in the darkness, they could not yet see how it would happen, but they held on to hope. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Faith in what scripture assures us that God does not tarry, he does not delay needlessly, “for, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” (Hebrews 10:37)

God did not delay. Even now God does not tarry… God is at work.

Hold onto hope. Wait for the light. It may be dark now and even darker moments yet to come. But God is faithful! Christ has come and is coming again!

The awe and wonder of God who knows all things, is powerful over all things, working through all things is bringing good through Christ at the fullness of time!

~Jillene