Waiting tries our faith

Surely I am coming quickly.

(Revelations 22:20)

In a German prison camp in World War II, undiscovered by the guards, some Americans built a homemade radio. One day news came that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war. Because of a communications breakdown, however, the guards did not yet know this. As word spread among the prisoners, a loud celebration broke out. For 3 days, they sang, waved at guards, and shared jokes over meals. On the fourth day, they awoke to find that all the Germans had fled. Their waiting had come to an end.

A number of Bible stories center on waiting: Abraham waiting for a child (Gen. 12–21). The Israelites waiting for deliverance from Egypt. Prophets waiting for the fulfillment of their own predictions. The disciples waiting for Jesus to act like the powerful Messiah they anticipated. Jesus’ final words at the end of Revelation are “I am coming quickly,” followed by an urgent, echoing prayer, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20). For this, we still wait.

Here’s the question I ask myself: As we wait, why are we so often fearful and anxious? We can, like the Allied prisoners, act on the good news we say we believe. What is faith in God, after all, but believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse?

Faith looks beyond the shadow
Of dread and doubt and fear
And finds the Savior waiting
And always standing near. (French)

(By Philip Yancey from Our daily bread, 18^th August)

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I pray daily, sometimes many times in the day, but there are times when my prayers don't appear to be answered — sometimes I wait months, years for a response, some I am still waiting. At other times the response is much quicker — days, hours, minutes. It can be very  frustratingly but this is what having faith is all about. Waiting strengthens our faith.

There are many things I pray about, the safety of my children, that the Lord watch over my husband, my brothers and sister-in-laws, my parents, my friends, our health, putting food on the table, paying the bills etc . . . 

But one thing I have prayed for often is being able to stay home and not have the responsibility for being the main income earner. I must have faith in the Lord that one day He will answer my prayers, in His timing and not mine. For those who pressure women to return home — remember, it is all about what the Lord wants and not what you or I want.  If He has other plans, it is unfair to pressure women and make them feel guilty, sad or to make them bitter and cross.

They must be guided by Christ and not by man.

I always remember that Sarah waited years and years for her prayers to be answered. 

Waiting tries our faith and so we wait in hope.

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