Season of Waiting
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14)."
"I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. I am looking and waiting for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning (Psalm 130:5-6)."
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25)."
Waiting on God is expressing our dependence upon Him. Waiting on God is expecting comfort and relief only from Him. It is not trying to manipulate a situation. It is not trying to control others to suit your needs but waiting and knowing that God will do what He has promised. No matter how long the delay, it is trusting God and in Him alone-not looking to others for the answer.
God's timing is perfect, because He is perfect. "As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 18:30)." We however, want answers to our prayers instantly especially when our prayers line up with Scripture. Sometimes God does answer us quickly but other times, it may take days, weeks, months or even years. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)." Notice this asking, seeking and knocking is a continual thing. The key is to not give up and to wait until God gives you the answer.
We don't like to wait. We live in a world of instant gratification. We tend to think our prayers should be answered in that same way. We get discouraged when we don't receive the answer right away and may even give up. Friend, don't stop short of the victory. If you try and take matters into your own hands you will be disappointed and miss out- not only the blessing God has for you, but also everything He will teach you while you wait. First of all, if we got everything we wanted as soon as we asked for it, we would become prideful. We may tend to view God as some genie in a bottle who grants our every desire. That is not who God is. Sure, He loves to give His children gifts but more than that, He wants us to be holy just as He is holy. In other words, to be set apart, or dedicated to Him. "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy' (1 Peter 1:13-16)."
Waiting is not doing nothing. Waiting is continuing to live for the glory of God in all you do, knowing that as His child, He will work everything out for your good. He knows what is best for you and His plan for you is good. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and no to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity (Jeremiah 29:11-13)."
What the Lord desires is that we seek Him more than anything or anyone else. And He promises that when we seek Him, He will be found. "If you seek Him, He will be found by you (1 Chronicles 28:9)." God Himself is our greatest treasure. When we come into His presence, all of our longings are met. "I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life; my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You (Psalm 63:2-5)." When we have the Lord, we have everything.
If you are in a season of waiting, don't get discouraged. Don't give up because you haven't yet received your answer. You are in good company, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joseph, David and Daniel all waited on God and His perfect timing. He knows everything you have need of, everything your heart desires. As you wait however, God will build patience in your life. He will grow your character. He will teach you depend on Him and Him alone. Seek Him first my friend and learn to be content right where you are. He promises that when you "seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, He will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33)." He also promises that those who come to Him must believe that He exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
"I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. I am looking and waiting for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning (Psalm 130:5-6)."
"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25)."
Waiting on God is expressing our dependence upon Him. Waiting on God is expecting comfort and relief only from Him. It is not trying to manipulate a situation. It is not trying to control others to suit your needs but waiting and knowing that God will do what He has promised. No matter how long the delay, it is trusting God and in Him alone-not looking to others for the answer.
God's timing is perfect, because He is perfect. "As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 18:30)." We however, want answers to our prayers instantly especially when our prayers line up with Scripture. Sometimes God does answer us quickly but other times, it may take days, weeks, months or even years. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)." Notice this asking, seeking and knocking is a continual thing. The key is to not give up and to wait until God gives you the answer.
We don't like to wait. We live in a world of instant gratification. We tend to think our prayers should be answered in that same way. We get discouraged when we don't receive the answer right away and may even give up. Friend, don't stop short of the victory. If you try and take matters into your own hands you will be disappointed and miss out- not only the blessing God has for you, but also everything He will teach you while you wait. First of all, if we got everything we wanted as soon as we asked for it, we would become prideful. We may tend to view God as some genie in a bottle who grants our every desire. That is not who God is. Sure, He loves to give His children gifts but more than that, He wants us to be holy just as He is holy. In other words, to be set apart, or dedicated to Him. "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy' (1 Peter 1:13-16)."
Waiting is not doing nothing. Waiting is continuing to live for the glory of God in all you do, knowing that as His child, He will work everything out for your good. He knows what is best for you and His plan for you is good. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and no to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity (Jeremiah 29:11-13)."
What the Lord desires is that we seek Him more than anything or anyone else. And He promises that when we seek Him, He will be found. "If you seek Him, He will be found by you (1 Chronicles 28:9)." God Himself is our greatest treasure. When we come into His presence, all of our longings are met. "I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life; my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You (Psalm 63:2-5)." When we have the Lord, we have everything.
If you are in a season of waiting, don't get discouraged. Don't give up because you haven't yet received your answer. You are in good company, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joseph, David and Daniel all waited on God and His perfect timing. He knows everything you have need of, everything your heart desires. As you wait however, God will build patience in your life. He will grow your character. He will teach you depend on Him and Him alone. Seek Him first my friend and learn to be content right where you are. He promises that when you "seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, He will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33)." He also promises that those who come to Him must believe that He exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
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