At the end of November, my physical and emotional endurance waned.
I praised God for some exciting ministry opportunities He’d brought my way. I thanked Him for helping me through some tough but necessary relational changes in 2017. He’d empowered me to support some friends through heartbreaking situations and provided in surprising ways as He helped our family process unexpected health setbacks. Though I continued trusting the Lord, my prayers began to sound repetitive.
Feeling like I needed a drastic change and spiritual refreshment, I asked God to wrap me in peace as I sat in His presence.
Day after day, He affirmed that I didn’t need a change. I needed continual reminders of His unchanging character and the consistency of His persevering promises.
My husband and I committed to connect with God daily by using the Our Daily Bread Ministries Bible in a Year Reading Schedule. I chose to read an unfamiliar translation, to help me prevent skimming through familiar chapters. Even though we’ve read through the Bible yearly since 2005, I had a hard time waiting for the start date.
If I wanted to thrive, instead of hoping to just survive in 2018, I needed more of God!
Over the last week, I’ve inhaled peace and highlighted verse after verse that affirmed the trustworthiness of God’s persevering promises.
The Holy Spirit tugged my heart toward repentance, as I realized I’d been worrying through the wait when I was weary from battling chronic pain.
How are You going to provide, Lord?
What am I going to do now, Lord?
How much longer? How much harder?
Before I realized it, I was wah-wah-whining.
At this point, I thanked the Lord for my husband. When one of us is weak, the other is strong. When he wants to jump in and fix things, I encourage him to rest in God’s presence. When I want to rush God along for fear of Him not coming through like He has every time in the past, my hubby reminds me to be still and trust.
Praying for an increase of faith during a rougher-than-normal week, I reflected on Abram’s responses to God at different times during his waiting journey.
When Abram first received God’s call, he didn’t even hesitate to follow Him into the unknown (Genesis 12:1-6). Abram accepted God’s promise (vv. 7-9), though he often struggled with fear (vv. 10-16). The Lord remained faithful (vv. 17-20) and reassured Abram of His persevering promises (Genesis 13:14-16; 15:4-6).
Unfortunately, Abram chose passive complacency instead of reminding his wife of God’s trustworthiness. Sarai refused to sit still on the sidelines. She hopped up and took the reins away from her husband and God, worrying her way through the wait.
When the Lord didn’t meet Sarai’s standards, or work according to her preferred timeline, she forced her own way and opened the door to generations of conflict (Genesis 16).
The Lord stayed true to His Word, affirming the now-99-year-old Abram wasn’t forgotten (Genesis 17:1-2). He transformed Abram and Sarai, beginning with their names (Genesis 17:5, 15), though it seemed He knew His servants still weren’t ready to receive the fulfillment of His promises.
They wanted instant gratification and quick relief. I’ve been there!
The Lord must have known they needed time to grow as His plan played out. He waited another year for Sarai, now Sarah, to give birth to Isaac (Genesis 17:21).
Though we can learn so much from how Abraham and Sarah responded to God, we can also find wisdom in Hagar’s prayer:
“You are a God of seeing . . . truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13)
Oh, how many time I’ve compared my timetable to God’s, as if I could see the future or control my circumstances.
I’ve begged for relief, to be whisked out of the wait, without even realizing I’d be missing out on the rewards God was carving out for me.
As we remember the Lord’s consistent character, we can rely on His persevering promises.
He will comfort our hurting hearts, strengthen our resolve, prepare us for the path He’s paved for us, and help us to stop worrying through the wait . . . if only we take time to listen to His words and remember He stays true to His Word.
“My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.” (Psalm 119:148)
Lord, thanks for blessing us with the privilege of communing with You through the Bible in a Year reading schedule. Please help us trust Your plan and pace are perfect. Help us secure our hope in Your sovereign goodness, unfailing love, infallible Word, and persevering promises. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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Are you more like Abram, Sarai, or a mixture of both when trusting God through the wait?
How has God helped you wait without worrying or wah-wah-whining when you were weary, tempted to rush past the Lord, or determined to force God’s hand by demanding your own way?
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I am impressed with how you and your husband daily spend time in the Bible. You apparently suffer from some imposing health issue that leaves you in pain and yet your faith burns bright. You stay faithful to Christ and want to encourage others. Your sentiment is not lost on me. May God fill your heart with His grace, love, joy, peace, and mercy. Thanks for sharing your burden and thoughts. Love in Christ.
Ron
Thanks for your kindness, Brother Ron. As you know, we can do nothing without our amazing Lord and Savior. It’s been a rough six+ years, but God has continued to carry us through one day, often one breath at a time. He uses people like you, those willing to make time to offer a word of encouragement, to refresh our spirits. Oh, how we need the strength of community, the fellowship of God’s people interceding in prayer and building one another up in love. Thanks for taking time to make a difference in our lives. We’re definitely works in progress, living testimonies of God’s power, grace, and life-transforming love. Hallelujah! I shared your message with my husband. We were both blessed. To God be the glory!
I think it is healthy that you wah-wah-whine. I am a more grit your teeth and bare it kind of person who often doesn’t even express her gripes. And that ain’t good! God knows each of us, how we function, and that’s why even though several of his promises might be universal, how they play out isn’t. Even in my silence God has come to my rescue more times than I can count. And I know He will continue to do so.
Thanks for your encouragement, Colleen. I’m glad God knows how we process and loves us through the wait in a way that helps us draw nearer to Him. I truly believe He hears our silent prayers, even those tear-shaped petitions that slip down our cheeks when we have no words. I appreciate your prayers and loving support, Sister. It’s been fun learning with you. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us, as we continue to seek Him, serve Him, and share Him.
My dearest,
I appreciate how we work as a team. God empowers us to support each other as we listen to His will. I admit times have challenged us but God helps us through because I believe we do rely and trust Him in all things. It is my prayer that we continue to depend on God first and He will help us depen upon one another. Nice post thanks for sharing.
Alan
God certainly has brought us through the wilderness and back, multiple times. He is always faithful, trustworthy, and good. Thanks for your support and encouragement. Love you much!
In answer to your question…I would definitely be hopping around like Sarah, no doubt about it. So thankful for our Father’s infinite patience with our slowness to trust! Thanks for this message.
Thanks for your delightful honesty, Gail. I think we all have a little bit of Sarah in us, at one time or another, Sister. We can do nothing without our loving Lord, including trust Him. I’m so thankful He never gives up on us! Thanks for taking time to offer me a word of encouragement. To God be the glory!