Found in the Wait
Have you noticed how much time we spend waiting?  We're waiting for our holidays or a birthday, for the day when we can afford that special 'something'.  Some of us are waiting for test results, others are waiting for dreams to come true.  The Bible has a lot to say about waiting, so let's look at some stories about waiting, and see what we can learn from them.
 
Abraham was promised that He would father many nations (Heb 6:13-15 NIV)
13. For example, there was God's promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: 14. "I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions."
15. Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.
 
God never breaks promises, so it was just a matter of "when." But God's timing is not always ours.
 
(Isaiah 55:8 NIV) Abraham didn't see the promise fulfilled when one would expect it, when he and Sara were of "childbearing years."  But with our God everything is possible, and after waiting many years, Abraham's wife gave birth to Isaac.  Abraham waited patiently.  We are not to become impatient with God.  He will fulfill His promises in His time.

Joseph was another "waiter."  His jealous brothers left him for dead in a pit.  It was years before they were reunited.  Meanwhile, Joseph remained sensitive to God's plans for him, and did his best with what he had.
 
(Gen 39:1-2 NIV) 1. Now when Joseph arrived in Egypt with the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, a member of the personal staff of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.  Potiphar was the captain of the palace guard.  2. The LORD was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.
He waited actively.  When we are in a period of waiting, we must do what we know is God's will.  Perhaps we aren't sure of all of His will, but we need to be doing what we ARE sure of; He will take care of the rest.  We must give our best, and He will honor that.
 

 





The widow banging on the judge's door was yet another "waiter," albeit not so patiently!
(Luke 18:5 NIV) 5. but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!' "
She was persistent.  Jesus taught this parable to teach us about persevering in prayer.  When we wait, we should never stop praying about the situation in which we are waiting.  She also had hope, or she would have given up.  We must never give up hope, though we must be prepared for God to change our hopes to align with His will.
 
(Rom 8:25 NIV) But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
An excellent passage on waiting in trials, is found in Romans 5. (Rom 5:3-5 NIV)  3. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure.  4. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  5. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Again we see that we are to wait with growing perseverance and hope.
 
Sometimes we tend to think of in-between times as wasted time.  But if we follow God's guidelines, our waiting can be fruitful times of growth.
 
I can think of times in my own life when being patient wasn't easy but I can also remember times when the time spent waiting was a time God used to prepare me for something.  Have you ever struggled with waiting only to find that when all was said and done, God had blessed you with something far better?  Are blessings 'found in the wait?'
 
Dear Father, please help us to use our waiting times as You want us to, and to hope for what You want us to hope for.  Help us to learn from the in-between times, the seasons of preparation, and help us to remain patient, active, persevering and hopeful. In Jesus' name amen.

 


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