He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.  Revelation 22:20

Imagine that it is the end of a long, hard day of work.  You are hungry and tired, and it is hot and humid.  There is nothing you long for more than to go home to an air-conditioned house, have something to eat, and collapse on the sofa.  You stand at the bus stop and frequently look down the street to see if the bus is coming.  It seems to be running late, and you wonder how long it will take to get to your stop.  You hope it will be soon, as you keep watching for its form to appear.

This attitude of eager expectation and longing is similar to the one Christians experience as we wait the second coming of Jesus.  Our sins and struggles often make us weary in our earthly life.  We grow eager to be united with Jesus in our heavenly home.  We long for peace and rest, for the end to sorrow and suffering that only heaven can bring.  So we wait and watch and pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."  His comforting promise is this: "Yes, I am coming soon."  This promise gives hope and peace to us in our time of waiting.

 From "Portals of Prayer" (c) 2005 by Concordia Publishing House.  Reproduced by permission under license number 07:09-18B.  For ordering information contact Concordia at www.cph.org .