This year has been full of questions of “How much longer?” and “When will it end?” so for the second week of Advent, we’ll focus on God’s sovereignty over time.
We’ll begin by rereading Psalm 33 as we look at our paintings from last week. Then we’ll recap the stories we’ve read this week about God’s promise to Abraham and how it’s carried on through Isaac and Rachel, Jacob and Leah. It took a long time for the people to see how God would fulfill his promise.
For a long time, God’s people have been asking “How much longer?”
How long until we reach the promised land?
How long until we’re freed from the Egyptians?
How long until we’re delivered from the Babylonians?
How long until the Messiah comes?
How long until he returns?
Again, we’ll look to the Psalms (90: 1-4) to hear what the poets and songwriters of the time believed to be true.
Since God is forever in either direction, his timing may feel different than ours. AND it’s okay to ask God “how long.” We can ask questions at the same time that we have confidence that he is in control. We’ll look to Psalm 13 as an example while the kids count how many times they hear the “how long” question.
We’ll give examples of “how long” questions we’ve asked before. How long until we have a baby? How long until a new job? How long until we find a house?
I have a small wooden craft box that we’ll each put a how long question in to save for next year’s Advent. We can share them or keep them a secret, but next year we’ll see whether our “how long” questions have been answered.
We’ll close with 2 Peter 3:8-15.