“Long-Wait-Times”- now, that issue raises blood pressure! Realizing we must wait our turn while enduring pain in ‘EMERGE’ tests patients, and patience. It’s no fun!
We live near hospitals on ‘the cutting edge’ of medical advancement. But we soon lose appreciation of this privilege when we have to wait. It seems long-wait-times are NOT GOING AWAY soon.
Long-wait-times are a part of life. Consider:
- the engaged couple waiting often months during preparations
- the expectant mom e-n-d-u-r-i-n-g the final weeks of pregnancy
- a military family anticipating their soldier’s return from deployment
- watching and waiting as a loved one “walks through the valley of the shadow of death”
When we have to wait, when it’s out of our hands, or when it seems no one cares, what keeps us going? The answer is, “HOPE”. Hope sees “light at the end of the tunnel”. It indicates that we look to trust someone; hope develops perseverance.
The Bible records ‘ooooodles’ of long-wait-times. God, in His wisdom, decrees long periods (4000, 400, 40, and presently over 2000 years) before His promises and purposes are fulfilled for His people.
The Psalmist often cries, “How long, Lord?!” While we are being stretched emotionally, God wants us to know a contentment as we wait. How is this possible?
- Believe His Promises
The Bible documents God’s ability, in His time. to keep His promises. We need to trust His character, His faithfulness, and His word when life is difficult. Abraham was strengthened in faith, “fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.”
- Have confidence in His Sovereignty
David wrote, “I trust in you, LORD. I say, “You are my God.” My times [all of life’s seasons] are in your hands.” God is sovereign; we can confidently place our life, future, and protection in His hands.
When we know Jesus, we commit our way to Him knowing, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
- Be still before the Lord
We are often ‘baffled’ by God’s ways. This doesn’t surprise me. If I didn’t even understand my parents by times (and my kids, at moments, certainly did NOT understand me), how can I fully comprehend God’s dealings with me? Yet I know He loves me.
In those moments, David counsels, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself…”. God bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Remember ‘Footprints In The Sand’? We need to be childlike, praying, “Father, pick me up, hold me up, just hold me.” We need to quieten ourselves in His embrace.
“They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
“Are you with me?”
Pastor Bill Terris