8-18-23

I am not good at waiting. I am not good at waiting in line at the checkout, I am not good at waiting for Christmas, for doctor appointments, for special events, I am just not good at waiting. BUT, waiting is where we learn faith. Where it builds over time.

 Abraham was promised an heir through his wife Sarah despite her old age. This period of waiting lasted 25 years. Sarah did eventually give birth to Isaac “and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised” (Genesis 21:1). Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness; he trusted in God to keep the promise that his offspring would be numerous like the stars in the sky and sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17).

Joseph waited in prison after being sold into slavery by his brothers.

Moses waited 40 yrs. to go to the promised land but it was Caleb and Joshua who actually led the people into the promised land. Moses did not get to go in because he sinned.

David knew that he was going to be king, but Saul was jealous and was trying to kill David. Part of David’s wait was in hiding from Saul. The caves he hid in probably made the waiting seem even longer.

Job waited during his health issues. Besides all of the things he lost, he had to suffer physical problems that were difficult.

Jesus waited until God was ready for his ministry to begin.

Jonah waited in the belly of the fish. That doesn’t sound pleasant.

But the things these people all had in common is that when the waiting was over, they could see how God had worked in their favor.

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).

Waiting is hard. Waiting for a doctor to call you back with a test result. Waiting for a loved one to come to Christ. Waiting for a family member to stop using drugs or alcohol. There is good waiting too. Waiting for a baby to come. Waiting for a loved one to come home. Waiting for a fun event, like a wedding. Not all waiting is bad, but often it is hard. The upside is that God has made so many promises to us. We grow during these waiting periods to trust that He will fulfill all those promises to us. If he hasn’t yet, take heart, you just need to wait a little longer.

Shirlene Peterson