In the previous days, we have established that all followers of Christ are waiting on God for something or the other. Maybe you are waiting on God for a dream, a promise, a prophecy, a supplication you have been making unto him, and now you know that what matters most is not to wait for something but for someone: I AM. Yet, an important question remains unanswered: “How long shall I wait, Lord?”
Today, we will try to answer this question in three parts.
- God is not bound by time.
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
-II Peter 3:8
Time is not deterministic to what God does and does not do. He is not working on a timeline as the world does. Our God is called Yahweh (YHWH), one of whose meaning is He is eternal. Eternity implies that events are not bound by time. This is God’s nature with respect to time, He transcends it. But does it mean we have to wait an eternity?
- God has an appointed time.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
-Psalm 27:13
We do not have to wait an eternity to see God’s goodness: we have been promised it here on this earth. But, we wait for God’s appointed time. The Bible is full of examples of such (Genesis 21:2, Esther 4:14, Habakkuk 2:13). Even before the foundations of the earth were laid, God has appointed us to be born and live our lives in these times. He has appointed a time for each of the promises He has spoken. Not a second too soon or late, He will fulfill.
- God will make us wait until we are ready.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
-II Peter 3:9
God’s purpose in all things is for us to be made more like Christ to reveal His glory (II Corinthians 3:18). This can sometimes be achieved through the waiting period, in these times God deals with our sinful carnal nature, for it to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). When God makes us wait, He leads us into a new season. But with it comes having more faith, being more patient, submission and humility. God wants us to possess that which He has in store but are we first willing to change, to be molded by Him.
God has not forgotten you my dear friend. Be encouraged that not one of His words would go in vain. As we wait upon Him, let us unwaveringly trust in His word and His faithfulness. His grace is our strength, in His mercies we shall rest and in this divine hope, our hearts will find courage. I leave you with the words from the song “Stones”:
The longer the wait, the longer I’ll praise
The stronger the pain, the stronger my faith grows
The higher the need, the higher I’ll reach
The greater the cost, the more I’ll believe for.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for the Word that says You have not forgotten me. I thank You for Your appointed time and seasons in my life. Though the wait could seem long, I know that it is Your presence that leads and guides me through it all. I pray that I will be made ready for Your appointed time over my life. In Jesus name, amen.
Leave a Reply