Wait for it…

[November 13, 2008]  “God is telling me to wait,” my friend said at church yesterday.  I nodded in understanding.  For some people, action is hard.  For active Christians, waiting is one of the hardest things God can ask them to do.  You are ready to run into battle, but the hand of God holds you back.  You don’t know why.  You may never know why.  But there’s a good chance he wants to teach you something while you are waiting.

When Paul wanted to go to Asia, God prevented him.  Within days, Paul knew why.  God wanted them to go to Macedonia.  He had already prepared a harvest for Paul there.  Joseph waited in prison for years as God worked on him to prepare him for an incredible opportunity of vital importance.  Moses waited in the desert for decades before God felt he was ready to lead the people and the people were ready to be led.  Jesus did carpentry work until he was thirty before God told him the time was right. 

The Bible says, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.”  If you are stuck in a holding pattern, try something like this:  Thank God for the time of renewal.  Ask him to work in your heart to prepare you for what He has in store for your future.  Enjoy the extra time you can spend with Him.  You will be going totally against nature in doing this.  And God will bless your submission to Him. 

Memory Verse: 
Isaiah 30.21 (New International Version)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way.  Walk in it.”
 

Lord, you have had to wait so long for each of us to turn to you.  Your patience is unimaginable.  Father, give us strength to endure times of inactivity as we wait on You to move in our lives or in our situation so we can be most valuable to You.  We trust You to take action at the opportune moment.