It’s the Waiting Part We Just Can’t Handle. Why?

Did you receive a promise from God early on in your faith walk?  Are you beginning to wane in your faith?  Not that you think God isn’t capable of doing it… you’ve just grown weary while waiting.  Well, take courage! God is able and willing to grant your petition – His way…

Wait and patiently seek God – In Genesis chapters 16-21, Abram saw the Lord in a vision. He was assured that his seed (heir) would come from his own body, though at the time he was in his eighties. However, during the years of waiting that followed, He and Sarah were caught up in a carnal plan to accelerate God’s timetable.  Abram usurped God’s authority when he and Sarah hatched a plan to give them a child through their hand-maiden Hagar.  That son, Ishmael, who was born into Abraham’s family, was ultimately cast out of the lineage that would produce the Messiah.  Ten more years passed before his wife Sarah actually gave birth to their son Isaac, the seed of promise.

Lamentations 3:25 says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.”  Jeremiah, the brokenhearted prophet, proclaimed a message of doom for over forty years to God’s chosen people.  He waited for a sign of true repentance from Israel towards a loving and patient God.  

Wait with emotions in check – In I Samuel 16 David was anointed by Samuel as the future King of Israel, but he would not ascend to his throne for approximately twenty-two more years.  During that time he defeated the Philistine warrior Goliath, served in King Saul’s court as his armor bearer, and played the harp to calm the King’s restless spirit. 

Psalm 62:1-2 tells us, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”  David learned to trust in God’s Sovereignty. God was busy working in the background before He allowed David to return to Jerusalem to reign.  Psalm 37 gives us an overview of how David kept his peace in the midst of his turmoil. 

Verses 3-7 lists seven important keys on resting in God’s care while we wait:

           

Trust  in God and Who He is.

            Dwell  in God’s territory and feed on His Faithfulness

            Delight  in God and in His desires

            Commit  your ways and life to God

            Rest  in God and patiently wait on His timing

            Cease  from anger and revenge

            Quit  worrying and leave it to God

David showed courage while waiting for God to move on his behalf. He trusted God to come to his rescue and protect his honor. Psalm 27:13-14 states, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”  Psalm 69:3 tells us, “I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.”  David struggled in physical agony while he sought the Lord’s mercy and presence.

Wait with expectation and confidence - Psalm 145:15-16 says, “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”  Creation itself waits for God to move into action as evidenced by seasons, tides, harvest cycles, birth, death, and other laws of nature concerning man, beast, bird, fish and plant life.  We exist and live solely by God’s design and His Will. 

Isaiah 40:31 is a verse quoted often to those who despair while waiting.  The prophet tells us, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  God’s people would be comforted because of God’s character as they waited (hoped) for their deliverance. 

There are times when God patiently waits on us! Isaiah 30:18 tells us, “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”

What are you waiting for just now- a broken marriage to be restored?  A wayward child to return home?  A relationship restored with a sibling?  No matter what you face, be assured your Heavenly Father waits with you.  You are not alone during this difficult time of waiting.  Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “He [God] will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

  As you wait for your promise from God – keep your gaze upon Him and watch for Him to work in such a way that will bring Him the most Glory!

 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

 

It’s the Waiting Part We Just Can’t Handle. Why?