Wait Patiently

Waiting is hard.  It is hard when we await something good, like the birth of a baby or that new house you are building.  It is hard when we await a diagnosis.  Waiting is hard when a loved one lingers on the verge of death.  Waiting is also hard when we see evil all around us.  When we see people hurting physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually.  Why, Lord?  How long will this go on?  Waiting is hard when you know much of the pain in people’s lives is related to the enemy’s wicked schemes. 

How often God reminds us to wait for him.  In Exodus 14:14 the Israelites were reminded to wait too.  Then there was that awesome Red Sea Moment when God came through for them in such a big way.  He heard their cries and when it all looked completely hopeless, he worked it all out for them, didn’t he? 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. 

Exodus 14:14

Do you feel helpless?  Do you long to be able to take action…do something?  Guess what?  You can!  Pray!  Pray with all your heart.  You can!  Encourage others.  You can!  Be in God’s word.  You can!  Trust the Lord.  Wait patiently.  When words fail us, when we feel at a loss of what to do, we don’t need to worry about it.  Take a deep breath.  Be still.  Just wait.  Wait patiently. 

“But I am out of patience, Lord,” you say.  “I am exhausted.  I am worn out.  I feel hopeless and helpless.  I feel incapable of having any kind of a positive impact on my situation and that of others.  I am just little old me.  How can I do anything?”   Go ahead.  It’s okay.  Cry if you need to.  You’ve hit rock bottom and you need to let it out.

And that’s when he comes through for you.  Leave it all there with him.  Expose your innermost thoughts.  You can be completely vulnerable with him.  Be still.  Breathe deeply.  Talk to him.  Tell him what is on your heart.  Let him infuse you with His love and his Holy Spirit.  Bask in his tender and deep care for you.  Ask him for truth, understanding, and insight.  And then, when you are completely drained, when you have laid your soul bare before him, and your tear-stained face is starting to dry, just wait. 

He has a plan.  He is in control.  It may not always appear that way, but he is.  His timing is always impeccable. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Jeremiah 29:11   

He is all powerful.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He has done many things that mankind would have considered impossible.   

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you. 

Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

So, wait patiently.  Wait for him to fix everything.  He will, you know.  He will fix it all.  You just have to trust.  Pray and be in his word.  Be still and wait.  Wait for another Red Sea Moment.  Wait patiently for him.     

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes. 

Psalm 37:7