Who likes to wait? I think if we are honest, there are very few, and maybe even none, who would answer, “I do,” to that question.
We live in such a fast paced society that we don’t even like to wait at the drive-up window!
In this day of fast everything, it is getting harder and harder to wait.
That may be true in our generation, but God is not bound by our time and cultural environment! He is timeless and does not run on our time or by our schedules!
Is that sometimes frustrating to you? Does He sometimes seem slow or late? I find that very difficult at times!
The Bible teaches us that we are to wait.
Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
BUT – I hate waiting!!
Have you ever had to wait in the Waiting Room at the hospital? It can be long; it can be lonely; it can make us anxious and be very difficult. Sometimes the outcome is what we had hoped for, and sometimes it is not!
I believe God has a “Waiting Room” and at sometime or the other we find ourselves waiting there.
What is it like to be in God’s” Waiting Room”? It can also be very difficult, long, lonely, and make us anxious!
So what do we do when we find ourselves there? How do we get through those times in our lives?
I find myself right now in God’s “Waiting Room!” Waiting for His direction, waiting for the next step!
I never pictured being here for this length of time, but here I am.
It would be much easier to run ahead of God than to wait. It would be easier to follow my own plans than to wait, but God says, “wait!”
I have found that there is so much to be learned in this waiting room and the time is specifically designed for each one whom God places there.
There are days when I do not like it, but there are also days when I realize what rich blessings there are in that special place. It is a place of getting to know God in a way that would not be possible in the rush of this life. It is a place where God prepares us for the next plan that He has for us. Often, it is a place where God is all that you have, and you find that He is all that you need.
What are the benefits of the time that you and I spend in this special place? There are many! Two Scriptures that speak to this are:
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
“I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
What precious promises there are in these verses!
1) He hears and answers us.
2) He lifts us up and sets us on solid ground.
3) He gives us a new song of praise.
4) Our life becomes a testimony to others.
God has promised us these things but we must remember it comes after the waiting! It is in God’s timing not ours!
The second Scripture of promise is in Isaiah 40:31(NASB).
“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.”
This is another fabulous promise from the Lord, the reward of waiting in God’s “Waiting Room”.
Is it easy? NO! Is it worth it? YES!
I love the words to this song called “While I’m Waiting” By John Waller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHIqOHU6Dhg (You Tube link CRTL+Click)
I ‘m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
What do we do while we are waiting in “God’s Waiting Room?”
Wait patiently, move ahead with boldness and confidence, take every step in obedience, serve, worship, keep running the race, let God’s peace rule in our hearts!
Wow, there’s lots to do while we wait! Waiting is NOT doing nothing! Waiting is following one step at a time until He brings us out!
Good word this morning Robyn. I helps me to remember that He waits on us as well. Jim
“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
(Isaiah 30:18)
Jim, someone just gave me that verse yesterday! What a promise!