Encouragement In The Wait

Waiting can be one of the hardest things to do when you more than want what you're anticipating, but you need it like yesterday.  Whether healing in your body, financial increase, restoration in marriage, a job...whatever the case may be, I'm sure there's a particular area in each of our lives where we are waiting on God to move.  But doesn't it sometimes seem like God is taking forever?  Don't you sometimes feel like maybe God forgot about what He said He was going to do for you?

I've certainly been there; quite recently, to be honest.  There are some things I've had before the Lord, and some things He's promised to do in my life, for quite some time now.  It's seems as if I've been waiting, anticipating, expecting, and praising in advance for a LONG time.  At least it appears that way to me.  I mean, how much advance praise do I need to give before the Lord makes good on His word?! Don't act like you've never felt that way. *giving you the side eye* LOL!

Just this week I noticed the enemy trying to come in and plant the seed of doubt in my mind, so I quickly went to my Father for reassurance.  I had a little talk with God, and it went a little something like this:

Lord, have you forgotten about me? He answers, "Never. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

Well, have you changed your mind about what you said you'd do? He answers, "I am not human, that I should lie, not a human being, that I should change my mind. I do not speak and then not act. I do not promise and not fulfill." (Numbers 23:19)

But Lord, haven't I been waiting forever? He answers, "If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time." (Habakkuk 2:3)

Can I be honest, Lord?  Sometimes I feel tired in the wait, and it seems like my righteous living is going unnoticed.  He answers, "Don't become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Why do you keep telling me to wait? He answers, "Because 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." (Isaiah 40:31)

OK, OK, I'll wait...but can you give me an idea of when things are going to manifest?  He answers, "To everything there is a season..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I left that conversation with the Lord with my faith and strength renewed.  He ministered to my heart, and assured me that my waiting is not in vain.  I am all the more encouraged to hold on to my faith and my promise from the Lord, trusting that things will manifest in His perfect timing. I am furthermore persuaded to continue believing that although He may not come when I want Him to, He is right on time...not accordidng to my watch, but His.  And in the meantime, I am confident that He will never fail to meet every need in my life...and yours.

If you're in a waiting place, be encouraged.  Stay with God, hold on to your faith, believe in the promise, and remain in expectation.  Though it may tarry, wait for it; it will surely come.  The Lord always keeps His word.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)

~May you live in His love.~