The Renewal in Waiting

What does it mean to wait? Why is it so easy to wait on some things but so painfully difficult to wait on others?

I confess, I am not the best at waiting. I put on a good face and pretend to be, but inside I can become anxious and impatient for things to happen. Sometimes this impatience brings me to a point where I try to take matters into my own hands and by doing so I think often, that hinders the process.

As our small group works through the book we are studying, more and more we read about how the Israelite’s waited. In fact, most of their history is marked by waiting for something to happen. They waited for rescue from Egypt, they waited to be able to get into the promised land, they waited for a King, they waited for the temple to be rebuilt, and they waited for the Savior. Just to name a few examples.

They did not wait in confidence, often they waited in frustration and discouragement. The other thing that I realized this morning is that the wait time between when the rebuilding of the temple was complete and the birth of Jesus was more than 400 years.

I don’t think I have that long.

I say that with a chuckle, but the truth is, it is difficult not to get discouraged or angry when waiting. Just think about the lines at the grocery store. – At least there you can see that there is an end in sight! – It is so difficult to sit back and say, “Lord you lead and I will wait until I know which direction your are leading.” Well actually, it isn’t hard to say that, it is hard to live it. It is hard to follow through when I say, “God I will wait.”

Scripture tells us in Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
Oh teach me Lord to wait.

God doesn’t want us to sit on our hands and do nothing. This verse tells us that as we are waiting on the Lord we are serving Him, (renewing our strength) we are worshiping Him (mount up with wings as eagles), while we are waiting on the Lord we are taking every step in obedience (run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.)

Oh teach me Lord to wait!
I will serve you while I wait.
I will be obedient while I wait.
I will worship You while I wait.
I will show your love to others while I wait.
I will prepare while I wait.
I am waiting on You Lord.

Lord help me not to wait anxiously, or impatiently, Lord help me not to get discouraged. Lord help me to wait with confidence and Hope.

 

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