Waiters wait. So do those who have hope.
Waiters Wait.
"I waited patiently for the LORD"
Psalm 40:1
Someone who is willing to wait for God’s answer to a prayer is a person who trusts God. This person doesn’t get anxious but instead faithfully perseveres in prayer and hope. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).
God always answers the prayers of His people. That’s why He tells us to wait because He plans to answer us in accordance with His will. We must believe He is the Creator and Controller of the entire universe and that He knows exactly what He is doing all the time. It’s called His sovereign plan. He’s working it out in all of our lives. That’s why He tells us to wait. Wait because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28).
But most people hate to wait! And God speaks to us: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7a). We are living in an instant gratification society. We don’t want to wait in line in a drive-through restaurant, a bank, the dry cleaners, or any other kind of waiting! Singles do not like to wait long for Mr. or Mrs. Right; they want to get married now to Mr. or Mrs. Has Potential. They’re not remembering God is sovereign and He may be setting up their perfect mate and He has planned for them to meet at the perfect time!
We don’t like to wait for long stop lights, not realizing that God may be detaining us at that long stop light because He is protecting us from imminent danger further down the road. Almighty God really is in control of all things. Jesus told the disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). There is no higher authority than this, and this is where we should be putting our hope. It’s His world and His timing for all things.
Even in stressful situations like persecution for our faith...we want God to "deal with them right now!" We can be sure He will deal with them...in His perfect time. We must obediently "wait and keep His way...and when the wicked are cut off, we will see it!" (Psalm 37:34). But we should wisely wait for God's timing.
We don’t like to have to wait for tables at restaurants, either. Recently my hubs Donnie and I were on a wonderful date in a cozy, local restaurant that had a charming atmosphere. As we started to eat our appetizers there were only a few empty tables.
By the time we were eating our tasty entrees there were people crowding the front door and even leaning against the wall next to the hostess station. Others were sitting outside on benches waiting for their names to be called to come in and dine. These guests at the hostess station were frowning. Frowning! I thought to myself, “What’s wrong with them? Don’t we go out for a nice dinner to have a good time and relax and enjoy good food that we didn’t have to cook? What's the rush?”
These disgruntled couples were staring at the rest of us as we were enjoying delicious food and drink! They were frowning because they did not want to wait for a table. They wanted a table now. There was no danger of the restaurant running out of food. The weather was beautiful outside so they weren’t soaking wet from intense humidity or a downpour of rain. They looked to be healthy and they were out with their friends. But they were complaining because they had to wait for a table! It made me laugh to see their scrunched up faces when I realized why they were upset.
I think we can easily wear ourselves out physically and mentally from our own angry impatience! We fret and worry about our lives. We fret and worry about the lives of our family members and our friends. It can be exhausting to try to control situations that surround us! But God tells us, “…those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). To wait is to hope, Sister.
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning”(Psalm 130:5-6). I've been in a long season of waiting. Yep. And I've learned it's the best and wisest thing I can do...to keep praying and keep waiting. My hope is in God that's why I'm willing to wait.
Every time we choose to wait on the LORD for guidance and His Sovereign Hand to move a mountain, we find He is worth the wait. Why do I say that?
Because it is written: "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).
Oh how I love me some sisters! WE are the body of Christ. WE are the light of the world. Time to rise & shine TOGETHER!
Love & blessings,
Polly
psalm 34:3
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