Waiting Patiently

Waiting is an inevitable part of our lives. Waiting in line, waiting for something to change for the better, waiting for the weekend, all of these are common parts of the human experience. But how do you wait? Are you calm and peaceful and patient? Or are you anxious and angry and impatient? More importantly, how do you wait on God?

God has given us many wonderful promises in His word. He has promised that we can ask anything in His name and it will be given (John 14:13). He also told us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." However, His answers to our petitions may not be instantaneous. Sometimes God says yes, sometimes no. and sometimes wait.

Patience is something that we all need. In fact, Paul told the saints in Hebrews 10 verse 36, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Sometimes it may seem that our promise has been delayed, but we have to wait patiently for God's perfect timing to bring it to pass.

It is hard to be patient even when things are going well, but what about when things are not? Paul exhorted the Christians in Romans 12:12 to be, "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." It is hard to be patient when your whole being desires a great change to be brought about in your life or when you see trials on every hand. But if we truly believe God's word is true, we can rest in that. James taught in chapter 1, verses 3-4, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Paul echoed the same sentiment in Romans 5: 3-4, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." The very things that we run from (tribulation and trials) are the very things that work patience in our lives.

Luke 21:19 declares, "In your patience possess ye your souls." Ultimately, keep running the race with patience; as Paul declared in Hebrews 12:1, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Sometimes we even run out of patience in doing good things. When we do not see the results we want, we sometimes wonder if our efforts are in vain. Many a pastor has felt this way. Paul told the Galatians in chapter 6 verse 9, "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not. Isaiah 40:31 also encourages us, "But 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; and they shall walk, and not faint."

We also run out of patience with each other sometimes. But Paul told the Thessalonians in 1 Thes. 5:14, "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward ALL men." That word ALL did not leave anyone out. Lord help me!

Waiting on the Lord can bring strength and answers to prayers. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 40:1 states, "I waited patiently for the LORD; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." Lamentations 3:25 encourages, "The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, To the soul that seeketh him." Waiting patiently on God can bring about His goodness in our lives.

Do not fret when it seems that God is not answering your cries for help. He has a perfect plan for your life. Just wait for Him patiently to move on your behalf.