Talk Tuesday - Why Do I Have To Wait?
When I became a Christian, everything I learned in life was turned upside down. In university I was taught that you must have momentum in order to succeed with your goals. In God’s kingdom, you have to do the opposite. You have to wait. Moses had to wait before God told him to set His people free. Joseph had to wait before his dreams from God were fulfilled. Job had to persevere before he could see God’s plan revealed. What is God having you wait on? Is God making you wait for Him to reveal the plan for your life? Are you waiting for a spouse? Are you waiting for finances? Are you asking yourself why do I have to wait?
Waiting is no fun. When you wait you feel helpless. You feel that you are not doing anything.
James 5:7-11
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
We must be patient and persevere. God isn’t taking His time. He is always on time.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
So what is God trying to teach us in our waiting? What is He training us for?
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Our faith in Him is being strengthened. Our hope is being revealed. Jesus has the best plan for your life so trust that He will answer your prayers. Share with us your experience of waiting on the Lord.
Blessings
Andrew
Waiting is no fun. When you wait you feel helpless. You feel that you are not doing anything.
James 5:7-11
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
We must be patient and persevere. God isn’t taking His time. He is always on time.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
So what is God trying to teach us in our waiting? What is He training us for?
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Our faith in Him is being strengthened. Our hope is being revealed. Jesus has the best plan for your life so trust that He will answer your prayers. Share with us your experience of waiting on the Lord.
Blessings
Andrew
Comments
When I thought about it, I realized this has happened with me on at least one occasion in the past few days.
It's so interesting, but I've actually caught a glimpse of what it means when we say that God's timing is perfect. Whether it's connections with people we need to know, a job promotion (or even a needed job), a relationship (with a hopeful special someone), or even that cool pair of kicks we've had in our minds for some time.
I'm learning (ever so slowly, might I add - but learning nonetheless) how to enjoy that "in between" time.
Still waiting for the work front to come through, for financial ends to be met, and perhaps some clarification in other matters, but I have seen enough to know that my God is in all the details of it while I wait.
In the meantime, I'll be walking with Him & enjoying those new shoes...
As one of my new favourite authors, from the 1800s, wrote, we have to learn to lie down in the sweet will of God, because this is the only place where we should want to be. Wherever He is, all is well, and whatever is happening, He is in perfect, loving, sovereign control. Whatever He desires or allows into our lives is for a perfect, wonderful, wise and loving purpose.
For those harsh things that may happen to us that seem impossible to look at as "sweet," we can meditate on the FACT that Jesus bore not just our sins, but ALL our sorrows ... ALL our burdens ... He experienced and experiences all that we experience, and is compassionate towards us. Praise God ... HE is worthy.
I promise to pray for you and your daughter as you go through this. God is faithful. He promised to fight our battles for us. I was reading this in my devotions this morning and I now I guess this is for you, as well.
1 Chronicles 5 verse 10 & verses 18-22:
The Israelites went up to make war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. Here is what the scripture says, that really touched my heart and hopefully will minister to yours too. I put my insertions in the brackets.
vs.20 "And they [Israelites] were helped against them [the enemy], and they were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him."