How well do you wait?

How well do you wait?

Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word I do hope."

We wait for the unseen to become seen

Waiting is hard. It can seem like an unending tunnel of darkness. Depending on what you are waiting for, it can be very easy to lose heart and despair.

Waiting on a job…while you sit wondering how you are going to make the rent or put food on the table.

Waiting on confirmation…when you need an answer from God about which direction to take, while feeling as though time is just ticking away and your life is passing you by.

Waiting on a mate…watching everyone around you (or at least you think) live out their lives happily with a spouse or significant other in their life while you eat yet another meal alone.

Even waiting in line, at a restaurant, on hold…the list goes on and on and it is never easy. But waiting is a part of life, and it is not going anywhere! Remember this truth though…even in the waiting, God is there.

While we are waiting, we have to remember that God is sovereign. He is aware of every minute that passes. He sees every tear of frustration that is shed. He hears every prayer and even our cries of anger. God is not scared of us. He is not scared of our questions, our fears and insecurities, or even our moments of doubt and unbelief. In fact, He welcomes us to express ourselves. But we do need to be mindful of HOW we are waiting.

When the Israelites were delivered from their 400 years of slavery and oppression in Egypt, they rejoiced. But it did not take long for them to begin finding things to grumble and complain about. They were hot and thirsty, and there was no water. God turned pools of bitter water sweet so they could have drink. They were hungry and there was no food. So God sent manna to rain down from heaven every day to nourish them. They complained they had no meat, so God sent quail to bless them. The manna would have been enough, but He loved them enough to bless them with more.

We need to be cautious that in our times of waiting, we don’t get caught up in the cycle of grumbling and complaining, and not doing what we can in the process. There is a song out on Christian radio right now that speaks clearly of what we should be doing while we wait. The following lyrics from that song, While I’m Waiting by John Waller, give us direction and encouragement:

While I’m waiting

I will serve you

While I’m waiting

I will worship

While I’m waiting

I will not faint

I’ll be running the race

Even while I wait 

Those same Israelites that were delivered miraculously took a 40 year journey that should have only lasted about 2-3 weeks. Because of their doubt and unbelief, they had to wander the desert all that time. In addition, their grumbling, complaining, disobedience, and lack of faith caused an entire generation of people to never even see the Promised Land! 

We do not want to be like that faithless generation, and waste our times of waiting. Desert periods seem like they are sent to dry us up and destroy our hopes. But in truth, they are sent to teach us something, to strip us of ourselves and our independence from God, and to bring us closer to Him. He proves Himself faithful, even in the midst of the darkest valley or driest desert, and only keeps us there as long as is necessary. Don’t spend 40 years wandering around when you don’t have to. Receive what you need to learn, and get out!  

While we are waiting, we need to be serving, praising, and trusting. God has proven Himself faithful again and again; and He provides for us, even in the waiting. Don’t lose heart and become discouraged. Trust Him and He will bring you forth into your promised land!