Waiting
July 11, 2006
The Rewards for Waiting
Isaiah 40:29-31
A believer can spend months asking God for release from a stressful situation. Or parents might prayer for many years that their child will place faith in Christ. Waiting to see tangible evidence of divine action can be frustrating, but timing is important in the Christian life because God is orchestrating events to work for His children's good. In the meantime, He rewards those who remain constant in their vigil.
When the Lord calls a "time out," we often find our patience and stamina tried--waiting is never easy! But any task is less burdensome if it is done in cadence with someone else. And that is how our whole life should be lived: in step with the Lord. If we run ahead of Him, we will miss out on developing spiritual endurance. Though God's Spirit remains with us, He will not provide strength for us to live outside His will.
Periods of waiting are very often times of fear, stress, or grief, which will weary us quickly unless we are depending on an eternal energy source. Those feelings may intensify our desire to push forward, but the Lord has promised protection and provision for our times of waiting. If we turn to Him in our hour of need, He will give us the tools to triumph. (Psalm 37:34, 39-40)
Eventually, when our prayer has been answered, our trial's end may seem like the only reward. But a second look will reveal that our trust has been strengthened and our patience lengthened. That is to say, the Lord blesses our waiting with a more mature faith.
The Rewards for Waiting
Isaiah 40:29-31
A believer can spend months asking God for release from a stressful situation. Or parents might prayer for many years that their child will place faith in Christ. Waiting to see tangible evidence of divine action can be frustrating, but timing is important in the Christian life because God is orchestrating events to work for His children's good. In the meantime, He rewards those who remain constant in their vigil.
When the Lord calls a "time out," we often find our patience and stamina tried--waiting is never easy! But any task is less burdensome if it is done in cadence with someone else. And that is how our whole life should be lived: in step with the Lord. If we run ahead of Him, we will miss out on developing spiritual endurance. Though God's Spirit remains with us, He will not provide strength for us to live outside His will.
Periods of waiting are very often times of fear, stress, or grief, which will weary us quickly unless we are depending on an eternal energy source. Those feelings may intensify our desire to push forward, but the Lord has promised protection and provision for our times of waiting. If we turn to Him in our hour of need, He will give us the tools to triumph. (Psalm 37:34, 39-40)
Eventually, when our prayer has been answered, our trial's end may seem like the only reward. But a second look will reveal that our trust has been strengthened and our patience lengthened. That is to say, the Lord blesses our waiting with a more mature faith.