So . . . think back to a time when you were a kid . . . ’cause I think kids do this the best . . . think back to a time when you found yourself thinking or saying something like, “I can hardly wait!!!” Might have been a Christmas or birthday when you were pretty sure you knew what you were getting (or maybe not) . . . or a family vacation that you knew was coming . . . or maybe being reunited with “best bud” cousins you hadn’t seen for along while . . . I could go on . . . but I think you get the idea . . . so go ahead, think back to such a “I can hardly wait” time. That’s anticipation . . . and so is this . . .

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless . . . ” (2Peter 3:14)

Peter has spent two letters encouraging a group of beaten up, on-the-run saints to “keep on keeping on” . . . to remain faithful. Four times in this letter (2Peter 1:12,13,15; 3:1) he says that his purpose in writing is to stir up these believers by reminding them of what they know to be true concerning their salvation, their Savior, and, as he wraps up this letter, His soon return. The day of the Lord’s return will come as a thief in the night (3:10) . . . and with that day, the fulfillment of God’s promise of a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (3:13). God is not slack concerning His promise . . . He does not promise and then fail to deliver . . . but in His perfect time what He says He will do. And so, Peter says, look for it . . . expect it . . . wait on it, because it’s coming. Ah, sweet anticipation!

The same Greek word is used in both verses 13 and 14 . . . translated in the NKJV as “look for” and “looking forward to” . . . the word carries the idea of watchful expectation . . . it’s waiting, but it’s waiting on the edge of your seat . . . it’s the “I can hardly wait” sort of waiting . . . it’s anticipation.

And Peter says to these beloved believers . . . these who are paying the price for faithfulness . . . these who, perhaps, start the day wondering how they are going to get through the day . . . he says, look forward to these things. “These things” of Jesus’ return . . . of the putting down of sin and suffering . . . of the establishing of a new earth enveloped by new heavens wired to be a place where righteousness dwells . . . of the prize being realized.

Anticipation has a way of leading to purification. As I look forward to these things . . . as I expectantly await that day when I will see Him face to face . . . it has a way of shaping how I determine to live here and now. It fuels a diligence and a holy determination towards pursuing the things of God and submitting to the Spirit of God in order to be found at peace with God. The more the thought of standing . . . strike that . . . kneeling . . . strike that . . . being facedown before Jesus grips my soul, the more I want to have allowed the grace at work within me to have it’s perfect work in presenting me without spot and blameless. The more I want to be counted as a good and faithful servant. I know I can’t do it on my own . . . but it’s also true that He can’t do the work in me without my cooperation . . . a cooperation fueled by anticipation.

I remember reading or hearing somewhere in my past that church revival is often fueled by a fresh appreciation of the imminent return of Christ. That the church is never more alive than when it eagerly awaits being presented as the Bride to the One who loved her and gave Himself for her. That believers are never more on fire than when they really think that Jesus could come today.

Therefore, beloved, look forward to these things. As I head for work this morning, I’ll look up at the clouds (lots of those in the Seattle area) and wonder if they’ll part today to welcome me to the One who has promised to come in the clouds to receive His own (1Thess. 4:17). As I work through the day’s trials, I’ll cast a thought heavenward and realize it’s gonna be worth it all. As I lay me down to sleep, I’ll think that since He didn’t come today, He might be coming tomorrow . . . and say to myself, “I can hardly wait!” Ah, sweet anticipation!