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(1) In this lesson there is an interlacement of praise and prophecy.

(2) The words "we have waited for Him," describe the posture of the Church at all times, but especially at this season. In the Old Testament, the Jews waited for the first coming of Christ. The light of the first prophecy became wider and brighter as the fulfilment drew nigh. The Church waits for the second coming.

I. WHAT DOES WAITING IMPLY?

1. Faith. Christians believe in the promise of His coming (1 Corinthians 1:7). Those who have reduced the Christian creed to its smallest dimensions have included in it the belief in Christ's second coming as Judge.

2. Desire (2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:20; Philippians 3:20; Romans 8:19).

3. Patience (James 5:7).

4. Preparation.

II. WHY WAIT SO LONG?

1. The question was discussed in the Middle Ages. Why was the Incarnation so long delayed? Why was not the remedy at once applied to the disease? It is not for us to question the ways of God; but, although we accept them in the spirit of faith, yet, having done so, we should reverently exercise our reason, so far as we can, upon matters of faith.

2. One reason for this delay of the Incarnation is drawn from the condition of man. He had to be humiliated by a sense of his sinfulness in order that he might feel his need of a Deliverer. The remedy has not only to be vouchsafed, but to be accepted, and for this human pride must be broken down. We see the same providence in individual sinners as in a microcosm. God allows the prodigal to pursue his downward course until he is brought to his senses, and misery brings him to the turning point.

3. All delays in the approaches of God are for the sake of man that he might prepare to receive Him. The ministry of the Baptist is a visible setting forth of this need of preparation.

III. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? "Lo, this is our God," etc.

1. That there is a primary reference to wonderful interventions of God on behalf of His people, whether in contemporary or subsequent deliverances, is admitted. Whatever may be the historic application, it cannot be more than a type of the full accomplishment of the prophecy in the Person of Christ. He alone "swallows up death in victory"; and "wipes away tears from off all faces."

2. The text is fulfilled by the Incarnation. "This is our God." It points to the mystery that our Lord is a Divine Person, and that therefore He can "save us." This stirs the hymn of joy, "We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." This is no mere temporal deliverance, but freedom from the powers of darkness — the salvation of the soul, pardon for sin, gift of grace, hope of glory; these deep inward gifts awaken such chords of praise in the redeemed, that all joy and thanksgiving for earthly deliverances are but a faint prelude to their exultation. The great mystery, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"; the great truth "Unto you is born a Saviour"; the great experience, "Ye were sometime darkness, now are ye light in the Lord;" — by these is fulfilled the blessed promise, that the veil of darkness and the wail of sorrow through Christ shall be done away, and the voice of rejoicing and salvation be in the tabernacles of the righteous.

IV. LESSONS.

1. The text impresses on us the right use of Advent as a season of preparation for the coming of Christ.

2. This preparation to consist in repentance for sin, and faith in Christ.

3. The words of the text express the joy of an earnest Christmas Communion. "This is our God; we have waited for Him"; for "he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me" (John 6:57).

4. They express also a true belief in the Incarnation, that realisation of the Divine and human united forever in the One Person of the Son of God, which thrilled the soul of St. Thomas when he cried out, "My Lord and my God!"

(The Thinker.)

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KJV: And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

WEB: It shall be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!"