Wait
I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
(Psalm 69:3 NASB)
Wait is the scariest word in the Bible for me. It also happens to be a four-letter word, which I deem totally appropriate. Never mind pestilence, disease, judgement, crawling locusts, and famine. Wait is the one that makes my heart sink. Sometimes God makes you wait and wait and wait.
If you are sitting in His waiting room, waiting for His call, take comfort from this. Many people in the Bible who were used mightily by God had long periods of waiting.
Abraham waited seventeen years for Isaac (with a slight detour by the name of Ishmael along the way).
Moses waited forty years in the desert tending a bunch of smelly sheep before his calling.
Joseph waited seventeen years to ascend to his position as Pharaoh’s second-in-command, two of which were spent in prison.
Daniel waited for twenty-one agonizing days before the angel Gabriel broke through.
Paul was sent to Arabia for three years to learn from the Lord before being let loose on the world.
David also waited. After being anointed by Samuel, he went right back to the sheep pasture. So much for being the future king of Israel. He had to go back to a bunch of dumb animals, and not just any animals, sheep—critters constantly in need of protection and care. But this turned out to be excellent training for a future king who would have to take care of his subjects. And years passed before he finally became king, many of which were spent in a cave.
Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him; do not fret (Psalm 37:7 NIV).
There is a difference between sitting around doing nothing and waiting on God. Waiting is active, not passive. Wait with excited anticipation for what He is bringing about. Just because you cannot see what is going on, it does not mean He is doing nothing. The Israelites stood on the shore of the Red Sea seeing nothing but waves ahead of them and an army of Egyptians coming from behind. What they couldn’t see was God working behind the scenes. He is working behind the scenes for you too. Always remember, your future does not only include you; it includes others and is part of a greater plan God is putting into place. Whatever He is doing will bring glory to Him.
When the days get long and strength gets weak, go to Isaiah 40:31 and hold on to His promise.
But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (NKJV).
And when it finally all comes about, you will be amazed at the perfection of both His plan and His timing.
