Generally, waiting is not something of great pleasure when one lives in a culture and society that often seems to crave the instant. Who doesn’t break with their basket to the shortest line at the grocery store or quickly position one’s vehicle to secure the nearest open fuel pump? Nonetheless, waiting is a part of everyone’s daily life, whether one likes/enjoys/embraces it or not. In a similar way, believers may experience the perceived difficulty, or even the frustration, of having to patiently wait, while the Lord is up to something for His glory and purpose that far outweighs the delayed fulfillment, gratification, or satisfaction of the immediate.
In Psalm 25:3 we are reminded, “Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed!” Then, consider the sincere, committed, faith statement proclaimed in verse 5, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.” Listen to the urgent cry of one who is fully trusting and relying on the Lord in verse 21, “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.” The last portion of this statement could also be properly translated, “I have,” or “I place my hope in You.” In this biblical context, to lose hope would be surrendering the future to the enemy, and even works to destroy the meaning of the present. By embracing the waiting, King David demonstrates his confidence in the Lord, His design, purpose, plan, etc. Therefore, the waiting is the pathway to God’s provision!
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:28-31
As we approach Christmas, the time believers have set aside to celebrate our Lord’s first coming (Advent) and the promises of His eminent return (2nd Advent/Coming), perhaps it’s good for us to consider the endurance of the Old Testament prophets and the faithful, as they waited and watched for the promised Messiah, the Anointed One, Christ Jesus! From Genesis 3:15 until His birth (thousands of years) they lived in confident anticipation awaiting His appearing (1st Advent) in accordance with over 300 Old Testament prophecies (all completed by 450 BC) concerning our Lord’s birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection. Mathematically speaking, the odds of anyone fulfilling this amount of prophecy are staggering … 1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies – 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000; 1 person fulfilling 48 prophecies – 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power; 1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies — Only Jesus!
Nevertheless, He came! Just consider all that happened while they waited … He came at the appointed time (See Galatians 4:4-5) and “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.“ (Romans 15:4)
Today, we find ourselves, as New Testament believers, waiting. But we wait in full faith, genuine hope (confident expectation) — knowing and believing, based on history (His Story), the promises of our Lord. However, in the wait, there is much to be gained if we can grasp the proper perspective and escape our demands for the instant. By the way, instant coffee or tea cannot be compared to that which was allowed to brew properly!
Yes, fellow believers and servants of Jesus Christ … think about this … there is most likely a really good reason/purpose for the wait!
His & Yours because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
Pastor Frank
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His Word do I hope.
— Psalm 130:5
You are my hiding place and my shield; wait for Your Word.
— Psalm 119:114