Waiting is not anything that many people have the grace for. It is not easy, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE either. Waiting requires that you either stand still and stop engaging in what you were doing, or as you wait, look at what else you can do outside of the reason for waiting, or completely get another alternative for what you are waiting for or at leas seek a different means of acquiring what you are waiting for. This is waiting.
Does the Bible provide any guidance on waiting, and waiting on God, to be precise. Certainly, yes. In Psalms 27:14 the Bible COMMANDS us to wait on the Lord. And it does not just leave it there...it says, in waiting, BE BRAVE and COURAGEOUS. Be brave, and courageous, as you wait? Why? What do these have to do with waiting? To answer this, let’s look at another scripture, James 5:7-8. This text presents the attitude of a farmer. A farmer prepares the ground and plants IN ANTICIPATION that God will cause rain to fall resulting to growth, development and maturity of the seed he planted, into a bumper harvest.
A farmer only expects rain from God, though as introduced earlier, a farmer could explore irrigation as an alternative, but he still has to use water coming from God! My emphasis here is the farmer's expectation! It is only from God. He has to wait. Once he prepares the ground and plants, he can do anything more - only keep looking at the skies for the forming clouds! And particularly, the omnibus clouds!
How does this reflect in a believer's life? How do we wait yet not many have grace for this. Waiting requires patience, endurance and steadfastness. One as to resolve that despite the prevalent circumstances, they will wait, they will trust, they will have faith in God. And praise the Lord, that He is faithful! We can take him at His word. It is in waiting that one sees many suitable alternatives to what they are waiting for! Your mind rivets and swirls, you think back and forth – instead of waiting for one year, I can use this shortcut for three months - I can use alternative a, b, c, etc. And many times, it’s not the alternatives, it’s the grumbling...God is taking so long! I have been praying for this issue for 10! Yes, 10 years, you reason out? Why isn't God hearing me? Can't He see my desperation on this matter...the grumbling continues.
Let me remind you Child of God. David was anointed as King of Israel at 16, yet he didn't get to the throne until he was 30. All the while King Saul was out to do away with him. Even after getting into the throne, King David had to deal with a lot of betrayal! Out of his experience, David speaks to us in Psalm 40:1ff thus:
"I waited patiently on the Lord ...and he came and rescued me and lifted me from the miry clay...AND STEADIED ME! HE PLANTED MY FEET ON A SOLID ROCK!”
Think of Abraham. Abraham was credited as the father of faith! He believed in God that he would be the father of all nations - amidst all odds! His wife was barren, yet for 25 years, he waited. And at 100, he was the father of many nations! Today, He is our father of faith!
What do Abraham and David have in common when it comes to waiting? We find this secret in James 1:6-8. The Bible exhorts us to come to God in faith, without wavering, without doubting. He who that doubts is like a weed or the wave of the sea...tossed about, he is unstable in all his ways. He will not receive anything from the Lord!
So, are you waiting on God for anything this morning? Can you really wait for long, without complaining! Oh yes, you can! We all can! How does this happen?
HAVE FAITH IN GOD! When you truly know without a doubt who God is - our everlasting father, faithful, mighty, loving, and full of mercy and grace! Oh my, you can wait! Equip yourself for the wait! Fill your spirit with adoration, praise and thanksgiving to God, just for who He is, and your waiting will work for your good. Go ahead and let your mind be renewed in His Presence.
Halleluyah!
