Still in God's Waiting Room

WAIT is a word we hate…at least I do.

I get frustrated waiting on fast food or waiting behind the slow car in the fast lane. Aren’t we all in a rush to get to the next place or the next thing?

My cell phone battery malfunctions at the worst of times. “I just had 34% battery life and now it’s dead!” Waiting for the phone to recharge only takes a few minutes but feels like eons. “Come on!”

We live in one of the most individualistic cultures in the world, which means we want what we want — and we want it now, and it better be quick and easy.

Waiting on God

An impatient mindset often carries over into my spiritual life.

I have a need.

I pray.

I want the answer yesterday.

“Come on, Lord!”

One of the most oft quoted verses in the Bible is Isaiah 40:31 – “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…”

What does it mean to “wait” on God?

3 Things I’ve Learned About God’s Timing

1. God is NEVER in a Hurry

I’ve come to believe a lot of things about God – He is compassionate, holy, gracious, righteous, forgiving, merciful and loving…AND He is never in a hurry.

* God allowed over 4,000 years between the promise in Genesis of a Savior and the first Christmas.

* God waited 400 years before answering the Jews’ cries for deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

* God allowed another 40 years of wilderness wanderings after their Exodus.

* Jesus said He is coming again SOON and its been almost 2,000 years since the promise was made.   Just how long is soon?

God is not in a hurry and that’s good for you.

2. God is never late.

A man named Lazarus, who was described as “Jesus’ friend,” was deathly sick.

He and his family had watched Jesus perform miracles for people in need and now that he was dying they called for Jesus to help.

He showed up four days after Lazarus’ funeral. He was late.

Lazarus’ family was heartbroken. His sisters said, “If you had been here he would  have lived.”

What did Jesus do? When he showed up he raised up Lazarus from the grave. Lazarus lived. 

The family’s woes turned to wow’s.

Late? By whose timing?

3. God works just in time.

This can be an annoying aspect of God’s patterns but it is true.

When Corrie Ten Boom was a little girl, she went to my father and said, “Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.”

“Tell me,” said her father, “When we take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?”

“No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.”

“That is right,” my father said, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in heaven knows when you will need the strength. He will supply all you need—just in time.”

How to WAIT While God Works

Waiting on God is not being passive.

The word for “wait” can correctly be interpreted as “hope.”

A hopeful person is expectant. A pregnant woman is said to be “expecting a baby.” She has to wait for nine months but while she waits she gets busy moving in the direction of her expectation.

That’s what “waiting on God” is like…a matter of time and timing…and in faith working towards what you expect to happen.

God is faithful and often when I doubt - God reminds me that sometimes I just have to get out of the way, as He whispers in spirit - I've Got This!