For most of us the word “wait” is one we don’t want to hear.  We usually try to pick the shortest lines to eliminate any need to wait any longer than necessary. We are busy; we are in a hurry.

Why are we so “allergic” to waiting?  Why are we always hurrying? Are we above waiting? Is it because of too many items on our “to-do” lists? Do we fail to build in “grace time” for unexpected delays? After all, we do live in a society that demands instant gratification. We want it now!

Waiting on God

 

How do we respond when we have to wait on God?  What is our heart’s attitude when He doesn’t respond immediately to our prayer requests?  Do we expect instant gratification?  Do we act like an impatient two-year old, throwing a temper tantrum when we cannot have our way immediately? Can we learn to wait with hope in our hearts?

 

Abraham and Sarah

 

God promised Abraham he would be the father of many nations (read Gen. 15,16, 17).  Did it happen overnight?  Did Abraham go into Sarah and immediately find her expecting the “seed of promise”? No. The word says it took many years before the blessed event took place. Why did God make them wait?  Why wasn’t it instantly carried out?  We aren’t told why. If you have ever waited month after month trying to conceive you will understand Sarah and Abraham’s disappointment. It was difficult.

They became impatient and devised a plan to take matters into their own hands. As a consequence, the children of Ishmael are still fighting against the children of Isaac.  We, too, will have to live with the consequences of not waiting for God’s best and for God’s timing.

How many young ladies can identify with Sarah, believing their biological clocks are ticking?  How many have settled for Mr. Wrong rather than waiting for God to send Mr. Right?  How many have manipulated circumstances to “make it happen”? Men are not excluded from this temptation.  Abraham was a willing co-conspirator. Many suffer when we refuse to wait for God’s best. The results are far-reaching. It is far better to wait on God with hope in your heart.  He will give you what’s best.

Waiting Is Hard

No one ever said that waiting would be easy.  When we allow the soul or the flesh to rule our decisions we are not being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:5, 14).  It takes maturity and trust in God and in His Word to be able to endure waiting.  Trust Him and wait with hope in your heart.

Waiting Requires Patience

The carnal man wants nothing to do with patience; however, the mature man has come to understand the value of allowing God to work patience in his life (Romans 8:6-9).  It requires dieing to self. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  Patience becomes a part of us as the Holy Spirit brings sanctification into the life of one yielded. Each trial is another opportunity to climb higher in our trust of God’s faithfulness. We grow stronger as we become over-comers while waiting on God. “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, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 41:31)

You Decide

Do you think that you know what’s best?  Are you too “harried and hurried” to practice patience?  Will you allow the Holy Spirit to help you to mature and become stronger as you learn to wait?  It won’t be so difficult if you wait with hope in your heart.

He’s waiting for you!!!