Exodus 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
When Moses and Aaron got back to Egypt they gathered the elders of the people. Aaron spoke the words which the Lord spoke to Moses and did the signs before the people. The people responded with faith, believing the words and the signs. They were filled with hope when they heard and saw. After all these years, the Lord heard their prayers and cries, and He came to be with them to keep His Promise.
Just to hold on to a promise for 400 years, and pray in faith through several generations, is a miraculous work of God in itself. And now a glimmer of hope burst on the scene. What Joy! It was the word and the signs that caused the people to believe and worship. So also it seemed an endlessly long time until God visited His people in the form of a human baby. The angels announced the unbelievable Good News of great joy to the shepherds with the words, ”Unto you is born…a Savior, which is Christ.” And this is the sign, ”A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.” The shepherds responded to the Gospel with faith and worship.
Every day and every week, when we hear the Word in the Gospel and see the Sign in the Sacraments, we believe and worship. No matter how long it seems, the Spirit fills the waiting time with hope and joy. We rejoice with worship. For while wait we have the Word and Promise.