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, 18th August)

*****

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.

*****

Comments

  1. Waiting is difficult... And yet, it serves so many purposes (many of which we may never know). I love verses in the Scriptures that remind and encourage us to wait.
    Psalms 27:14 - "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
    Psalms 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
    I think we miss out on incredible blessings when we refuse to wait (and by waiting, being still)... We miss out on the LORD strengthening us (as seen in Ps 27:14), and we miss out on knowing God (as seen in Ps 46:10) if we refuse to wait but rather rush in and take matters in our own hands. And those are just two examples of things we miss out on when we won't wait.
    And of course, an important part of waiting (as with all life) is to be joyful while waiting (not waiting with a long face). If nothing else, we can joy in the Lord because the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!
    I hope you don't mind me sharing those verses that came to mind when I read this post. :)

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    1. We are told to wait and these are such lovely verses about waiting. And I completely agree with being joyful in any suitation, even those suitation so which are good.

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  2. I, too, have been praying for a long, long time over a couple things. It is very difficult at times. Sarah waited years and years. So did Hannah and Rachel. I will pray for you Jo. The Lord bless and strengthen you while you wait on Him.

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    1. Our faith gets strong when we have to wait, so I really don't mind. I happily do what ever God asks:) with joy.

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  3. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."
    At various periods when I have felt that I must surely die waiting, I have been reminded over and over again of that which you mention above. The scriptures are full of verses which tell us to wait. "Wait, wait I say upon the Lord!" Endure sister.

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    1. It is interesting there are so many verses about waiting - it is something important and implies that we will have to wait for many things. But how sweet it is when prays are answered, even if one has to wait years for an answer - and looking back the timing is always spot on.

      :)))

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  4. I want to share my testimony on how i was able to get back my husband last few months and with the help of Dr Ekaka because my man left me for over 3years and went on with another lady and i was unable to move on with my life because of the love i have for him last month i saw a testimony on the internet on how Dr Ekaka help someone with love spell so i never believe it but just have to try my faith which i did and i contacted him on his email: ekakaspelltemple@yahoo.com and he told me what i need to do and after 2days i received a call from my husband asking me to come back to him it was all like a dream to me i am so happy now as we are back together again thanks to Dr Ekaka and i will advice anyone in need of help to contact him.

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  5. Great post. The story of the prisoners is a great picture of expressing faith before actually seeing the answer come to pass. Our faith is strengthened through the process of waiting. It seems strange like as if we would be better strengthened at the answer of our prayers quickly… but as we grow through the years, we realize His process is so much better. As babes in the faith, we are quickly fed and often, in palatable milk; but as mature people in the faith, we have come to trust His answers in the proper time, and are given meat. Waiting… yes, it is a part of it all.
    Blessings,
    Pam

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