The Waiting Season

I think we all go through many waiting seasons during our lives. Someone may be waiting on God to help in their marriage. It could be someone close to you is sick and needs a miracle. It could even be you in a season of loneliness.

We are impatient people. At least, I know I am. If I even explained to you the deep heartache or turmoil that arises whenever I have to wait for something that I’ve prayed for, it still wouldn’t describe everything I am feeling.

We see it all throughout the Bible. Everyone we read about had a waiting season. Some short. Some long. Either way, I don’t think anyone enjoys waiting especially King David. You see lament throughout many of the Psalms. It’s eye-opening to see the man whom God called, “a man after my own heart,” cry out in anguish and agony waiting for God to answer his cries.

The first I remember seeing this when starting in the beginning of the Book of Psalms is Chapter 4, verse 1:

“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.”

David is pleading boldly for God to hear his prayers and help him as he is fleeing opposition just as in Chapter 3.

You see David pray to God boldly all through the Psalms. I find tremendous encouragement seeing that type of relationship and the trust he had that God will hear his prayers. There is something so comforting in seeing that He took time to pray to God in the midst of what had to be overwhelming and terrifying to him.

David understood that his problems on the earth were very big and made him fearful at times. He knew that God was far greater and bigger than his problems. He used his prayers to let go know how he felt in the middle of his trials and God hears him every single time he cries. It’s the same exact way for me and you when we pray or go through anything on the earth.

God Hears Our Cries

God bends low to listen to us when we lament to Him. They don’t disappear into a void or go unnoticed.

“In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me” (Psalm 86:7)

God knows when we are desperate. It says that He loves it when we wait for His plan to unfold. It’s a strength that doesn’t allow us to fall when we feel we have nothing left.

When you cry out to Him, your tears falling down your face, you read that He captures every single one of them. It’s a profound comfort to know they aren’t wasted tears.

“You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8)

Purpose In The Waiting

I wish that when I prayed to God that I didn’t have to wait very long sometimes. I’ve noticed though the longer I’ve been a believer and follower of Jesus that there is a special purpose behind every waiting period I’ve had. Just 6 years ago, I was a completely different person in my faith than where I am today. The waiting God had me go through with Him has formed me into the type of person God planned for me to be all along.

Now, don’t misunderstand me, I wouldn’t ask to go through it again by no means. I will say though that I do not regret even one millisecond of my misery and my pain in my waiting for the Lord to show me what is next. I know nothing that happens on earth surprises God. He knows what is going to happen and it goes through His hands. I’ve had plans for my life that never begin to prosper or even come into existence because I learn later that His way ends up being far better than I could have imagined.

When God shows up in your waiting, it gives you a peace that surpasses anything you can imagine. That is why I love reading through the Psalms and seeing David interact and pray to God. It’s a relationship that continues to grow even when David falls into sin.

Keep Your Eyes On Him

When we take our eyes off of God, that is when our life goes into disarray and misery. We make mistakes that we know deep down breaks God’s heart but yet we do it anyway because we are born selfish creatures and with a sin nature. God knows everything we are going to do and yet still hears us. He loves us enough to bless us. We must wait on His timing, not ours. We know He is never early and never late. He is always on time.

In James 4:2, it tells us, “we do not have because we do not ask” God tells us repeatedly through the Bible to examine our hearts. He knows our hearts are evil and wicked. It lies to us. Our mind knows what we ought to do but our hearts don’t let us do it. (Romans 7)

Our pride gets in the way of our obedience in trusting the Lord will answer our prayers. It makes us think we can figure things out on our own. The thing we tend to forget is that we do not sit idly by when we are waiting. Keep moving towards Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him.

I heard Russell Brand say recently, “I know I can’t take my eyes off of Him for a second but thankfully, I see Him everywhere now.” Every single time I hear him speak those words, it just brings me to my knees.

How many times have I taken my eyes off of Him? How many times do I overlook the goodness that is right in front of me? What about you? Do you remember anytime where you should have looked up but instead, you looked away?

The Goodness Of God

We complain and grumble when life doesn’t go our way but we forget that He is right there beside us. We think He owes us an explanation as if we deserve anything good at all. We don’t, period.

He doesn’t need us and yet He CHOSE to make us in His image. That tells us just how deep the Father loves every single one of us. He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

God always allows way more time than we deserve to come to Him. It took Noah 70 years to build the Ark before God flooded the earth. That was 70 years He gave all of the earth to fall down and worship Him.

Don’t waste the waiting. Draw closer to Him. See His goodness all around.

Everything good we get here on earth comes from Him.

Nothing Else Satisfies

The world offers nothing of substance to satisfy our souls. It’s a quick gratification that slowly fades until we want more. Over time, the potency of the thing we desire from the world loses its charm.

Your family can bring comfort. Your spouse can bring love. Even the small joys in life can make us smile. But none of them were created to replace God who is the only one who can give ultimate joy that satisfies the longing in our heart.

When you prayer, stop and listen. Look up. Watch for His answer. He always answers even when it is silent and you can’t hear Him. That’s where the faith and obedience in waiting comes.

I promise you. It will not go unanswered. Turn your waiting into worship.

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face Lord do I seek” (Psalm 27:8)

I pray you see the goodness all around you as you wait for the Lord. Be brave and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Prayer

Dear Lord,

We come to you with a softened heart. Mold it into something that glorifies you. You are a jealous God. You will allow nothing to take your place. There is nothing too good that you will not take away if it means we will get closer to you. If you withhold it from us, we can live without it.

Allow us to cry out to you when we are needing comfort. Give us the wisdom to hear your voice and the love for you that never ceases to worship you for all that we have.

Bless our lives that they may glorify you in all our actions, words, and tears. We love you. We need you always. Keep us safe wherever we may go.

In your name we pray, Amen.