Waiting
is one of the hardest concepts for modern mankind to embrace. We dislike
waiting for anything, not even at red lights, at the doctor’s office or for
food at the restaurant. If we had to wait and work for seven years for our future
father-in-law like Jacob did, how many of us would stay in love with the same
person? The poor guy actually ended up working fourteen years for her; but to
him it only seemed like a few days, because he loved her so much (Genesis
29:20-28).
One of the least patient characters
in the Bible is Saul. He got tired of waiting on Samuel, and he offered a burnt
peace offering to God himself. Samuel was horrified when he found out that Saul
was too impatient to do things God’s way! Consequently, Saul lost his kingdom
and God sought for a man after His own heart to take Saul’s place (1 Samuel 13:8-14). The prodigal son is another example
of impatience. He talked his father into giving him his inheritance early. Then
he ended up squandering it and having nothing left. It was only the mercy of
the father that took this wayward son back into his home (Luke 15:11-24).
Paul
bragged on the Saints in Thessalonica, because they had patience and faith,
even in the face of persecution and tribulations. He considered their endurance
in their suffering as a manifestation of their worthiness of the Kingdom of God
(2
Thessalonians 1:4-5). We too can rejoice in hope of the glory of God, even in our tribulation
(Romans
5:2-4).
The
writer of Hebrews lays out a list of faithful Saints who patiently waited for
the promise of redemption, even though it was afar off. These Saints realized
that they were pilgrims and strangers on this earth, and they yearned for their
homeland in heaven. God is not ashamed to be the God of these Saints, or of
those who trust in Him today (Hebrews 11: 13-16). We only need to allow patience to do her perfect work
in our life (James 1:4).
Paul
encourages us to hope for what we do not see, and to have the patience to wait
on God’s provision of it. He promises that the Holy Spirit will help us with
our impatience by making intercession for us according to God’s will. When we
wait, we have the assurance that God will work everything out for our good.
Nothing can ever
separate us from Christ’s love, not even nuisances, disasters, persecution,
hunger, destitution or danger of death (Romans 8:24-28, 35).
In the
Serenity Prayer, we ask God to grant us the serenity to accept the things we
cannot change; the courage to change the things we can; and the wisdom to know
the difference between the two. In this way, we put our energy into changing
the issues, which He shows us we can handle (Philippians
4:13). Then we
relinquish control to Him over the areas of our life that we cannot change.
Living a surrendered life to God’s control brings us righteousness, peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit, aspects which we could never attain on our own (Romans 14:17).
Prayer:
Father God,
unbelievers do not have spiritual discernment. They do not understand the huge
difference Your presence makes in our life. Help us to live as examples to
everyone in we know that has not accepted You as their Savior. Season our
speech and our actions with Your love and make us a living testimony of your
mercy and grace.
Thought for
the Day:
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." – Psalm
37:7
