The opening words of the Gospel According to Matthew leave no room for doubt concerning the identity of Jesus of Nazareth: "Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham… the Messiah" (Matt. 1:1, 16). For what seemed like ages, God's people had awaited the coming of Messiah--the One anointed by God to be the Deliverer of His people. They knew that their Messiah must fit the two qualifications of being both a descendant of Abraham, the father of the faithful, and David, the great king of Israel.

From the dawn of creation, God had promised that He would send a Messiah who would deliver His people from the bondage and misery of their sins. Immediately after our first parents fell into sin, God rebuked and condemned the Serpent with the Gospel (Gen. 3:15)! In this Protoevangelium (the first mention of the Gospel), God promised that a unique male descendant ("the seed of the woman") would arise from the human race and crush the Serpent and forever put an end to his evil work (1 John 3:8).

Generation after generation passed and God's promise remained unfulfilled. Indeed, the world continued to plunge into rebellion against God, provoking God's wrath and judgment. Would the Redeemer ever arrive? Why was God taking so long?

As the nations continued in their rebellion, God chose a single man named Abraham and promised him that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3; 22:18). Finally, God seemed to be showing some initiative in bringing His Promise to pass!

Centuries passed, children were born, and those same children died. Nations and kingdoms rose and those same nations and kingdoms fell. And still God's promise remained unfulfilled. Would the Redeemer ever arrive? Why was God taking so long? Had He forgotten His promise? Would He be faithful to His word?

Over two thousand years after God's initial pledge to Abraham, God finally brought to pass that which He had promised. The Seed of Abraham, the Promised Deliverer, the desire of Israel, and the hope of the world, had finally arrived in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. God's people could finally be satisfied in the knowledge that God is faithful to fulfill His promise. His slowness does not subtract from His steadfastness.

Although God's actions may seem plodding and slow to us, His faithfulness to His promise never falters or diminishes. His word can always be trusted. The only secure place to build our lives is upon the faithful word of a faithful God. His slowness merely allows us more opportunity to trust Him!

I praise you, living and eternal God, for your faithfulness to Your promise and to Your people throughout the ages. Though your slowness may make it less evident at times, You are always good, always faithful, and always loving to all Your people throughout all generations. Amen.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)