waiting

In my last message, I had talked about doubt. As part of that message, I mentioned some questions that Dagney and I have about the future. Particularly the near future... What is next for our lives? Where will find ourselves in the coming months with our plans to move? What does life look like vocationally going forward? What does ministry look like? As I am sure it is for many people, waiting on the answers to these questions can be a bit difficult at times. I think some of what makes waiting more difficult is the times that we live in. People these days are into instant gratification... Want to watch a movie? No need to go to drive to a video store, hope the movie is in stock, rent it, bring it back home, etc, etc... Want to see what happens next on your favorite TV show? No need to wait til next week to see the next episode. These days, we simply click a button and stream it right now, when we want it. Poof, there it is. And how impatient we can get if it takes a few extra seconds for the internet speed to catch up and for the show to start. Want to buy something that may have taken a while to get in the past? Not anymore... Now we get free next day shipping, if not same day if you live in the right market. “Waiting” is something that people are less inclined to be interested in doing anymore. But there are blessings in waiting on God. In Isaiah 40:31 the Bible says:  

but they who wait for 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. 

The Israelites who first received this promise were worn out from their hardship. They had lived in exile in Babylon for several decades. Their perspective was darkened by despairing thoughts. This was an awesome promise from God, for these people and for us today. Wait for the Lord and He will renew our strength. This is an incredible blessing. 

Lamentations 3:25-26 says:
 
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, 
to the soul who seeks him. 
It is good that one should wait quietly 
for the salvation of the Lord. 

It is good for us to wait on God for answers to questions we have for our lives or for answers to situations that we are waiting on.  

Psalm 37:4–5 says: 

Delight yourself in the Lord, 
and he will give you the desires of your heart. 
Commit your way to the Lord; 
trust in him, and he will act. 

Does that mean, if we go to church each week, God will give us a new car or a mansion to live in? No. The idea behind this verse and others like it is that, when we truly rejoice or “delight” in the eternal things of God, our desires will begin to parallel His and we will never go unfulfilled. In our patience and waiting on God delightfully and patiently, He will bless us with what He knows is best for our lives. God’s plans are the best plans for all of us. God’s ways are the best ways...  

Isaiah 64:4 says: 

From of old no one has heard 
or perceived by the ear, 
no eye has seen a God besides you, 
who acts for those who wait for Him. 
 
The happiness of God’s people should be wrapped up in what God has designed for them, and is preparing for them, and preparing them for. What He has done and will do. 

Some of the greatest people in the Bible, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David all had to wait for many years for God’s promises. Everything that happened while they waited was used to prepare them, inwardly as well as outwardly. Then, when they reached their promise, they were blessed beyond measure. 

​We should do the same, despite the fast paced, get everything now world we live in. If we are patient while we wait for God’s answers to our questions, we will be blessed for our faithfulness in our Father who knows what is best for us.