Wait. Truly that word is such a simple word; yet, one that causes us to groan. We hate to wait in line, wait at a stop light, wait at the doctor’s office, wait for the phone to ring, and wait for God to answer. You didn’t think I was going to admit that last one; but, how often do we try to rush ahead of God, become anxious because He hasn’t answered yet, or begin to withdraw into depression doubting His love for us. From the time that we are small children, we hate to wait. We want things now.
photo used courtesy of @istock
We become anxious, worried, and tend to want to find a short cut to avoid the waiting. Often, our shortcut proves to take longer or to even mess up everything. Still God calls upon us to wait.
So let’s look at this idea of waiting upon God. I think what will help us most is to break this down into at least 3 parts: What are the promises from God, if we wait? Why does God ask us to wait sometimes? What do I do while I am waiting?
What are the Promises from God, if we wait?
1. He promises that He is working on our behalf. Isaiah 64 (AMP) “4 For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him.” Now if Almighty God has promised to act on my behalf; what in the world do I have to fret about?
2. He promises that He brings good. Lamentations 3: “24 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”
3. He promises blessing. Daniel 12: “12 Blessed is he that waiteth”
4. He promises to hear us, Micah 7: 7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
5. He promised manifestation of Glory as His Children. Romans 8 “16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
6. He promises us Strength to Soar above the trials. Isaiah 40: “ 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
What an incredible list of promises for us who are called to wait. I hope you find those as encouraging as I do. God always keeps His promises, so it behooves us to learn more as to why He asks us to wait and what are we to do while we are waiting. Ahh, so that is what we will explore over the next few days.
I would love to hear your stories about how God has blessed you when you waited for His answer.
I urge you to watch this video about waiting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnt7kJ6NE4
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”