What God Says about Waiting on Him: Biblical Answers to the Question “How Long?”
I want to share with you something that I recently shared with my blog readers. This word from the Lord offers encouragement for those of us who are waiting for God’s promises to manifest in our lives, and it seems as if time is passing by and nothing is happening. The Lord greatly ministered to me when I went to Him concerning my weariness in the wait, and I believe it will minister to you as well.
Waiting can be one of the hardest things to do when you more than want what you're anticipating, but you need it like yesterday. Whether healing in your body, financial increase, restoration in marriage, a job, or deliverance from a situation, I'm sure there's a particular area in each of our lives where we are waiting on God to move. But doesn't it sometimes seem like God is taking forever? Don't you sometimes feel like maybe God forgot about what He said He was going to do for you?
I've certainly been there; quite recently, to be honest. There are some things I've had before the Lord, and some things He's promised to do in my life, for quite some time now. It's seems as if I've been waiting, anticipating, expecting, and praising in advance for a LONG time. At least it appears that way to me. I mean, how much advance praise do I need to give before the Lord makes good on His word?! Don't act like you've never felt that way. *giving you the side eye*
I noticed the enemy trying to come in and plant the seed of doubt in my mind, so I quickly went to my Father for reassurance. I had a little talk with God, and it went a little something like this:
Lord, have you forgotten about me? He answers, "Never. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
Well, have you changed your mind about what you said you'd do? He answers, "I am not human, that I should lie, not a human being, that I should change my mind. I do not speak and then not act. I do not promise and not fulfill." (Numbers 23:19)
But Lord, haven't I been waiting forever? He answers, "If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time." (Habakkuk 2:3)
Can I be honest, Lord? Sometimes I feel tired in the wait, and it seems like my righteous living is going unnoticed. He answers, "Don't become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Why do you keep telling me to wait? He answers, "Because they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
OK, I'll continue to wait, but can you give me an idea of when things are going to manifest? He answers, "To everything there is a season..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
I left that conversation with the Lord with my faith and strength renewed. He ministered to my heart, and assured me that my waiting is not in vain. I am all the more encouraged to hold on to my faith and my promise from the Lord, trusting that things will manifest in His perfect timing. I am furthermore persuaded to continue believing that although He may not come when I want Him to, He is right on time...not according to my watch, but His. And in the meantime, I am confident that He will never fail to meet every need in my life, and yours.
One thing I love about the Lord is that He knows what we need, at the exact time we need it. And no matter how much we want what He has promised us right now, His release-the-blessing clock has already been set. All we have to do is align ourselves with His will, make sure there is nothing within us that will block our blessing, trust Him, and wait for the alarm to go off. I don’t know about you, but I never want to become so impatient with God that I obtain a premature counterfeit substitute posing as a blessing. I want the real thing, the one that makes rich and adds no sorrow. (Proverbs 10:22) Only the Lord can deliver that.
If you're in a waiting place, be encouraged. Don’t focus on the length of your wait, but rather on the strength you gain in the process. Stay with God, hold on to your faith, believe in the promise, and remain in expectation. Though it may tarry, wait for it; it will surely come. The Lord always keeps His word.
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins is a wife, mother of two beautiful boys and inspirational blogger. She believes that God has purposed her to use her gift of writing to share her experiences as a Christian woman, wife, and mother, in order to touch the hearts of other women just like her.
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kcollins@eewmagazine.com
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12 Comments
Reader Comments (12)
That song "I don't mind waiting" does not pertain to me. I hate waiting. lol! I'm forever asking God how long so this hit home. Thanks for the scriptures you added in there. I love htis.
This is a season of waiting for me. I've been laid off now for going on 3 months and I am suffering some serious setbacks behind it. This was great encouragement for me. Praise God for you my sister!
The word of God is so powerful! Awesome scriptures!
When you hope and expect God to move for so long it gets to be trying when you don't see his hand at all, anywhere. It's hard to keep the faith and stay positive. I will print out these scriptures and reach each one of them. I need strength right now for some things I am going through.
God does not operate according to our timetable. He does things when He wants to do them and it is our job to trust. Wonderful words of encouragement and wisdom.
Hi ladies! Thanks so much for reading and commenting...I LOVE hearing from you!
Faye, I understand my sister!! But thanks be to God who teaches us how to wait. Happy to know this encouraged you.
B. Davis, I'm so sorry to hear that you were laid off from your job. Know that even in the midst of this setback, God is working for your good. I'm sure it's a tough season for you right now, but the Lord will sustain you. Trust Him and keep the faith. Praying for you.
Xena, Yes! God's word is indeed powerful. I love it!
MeMe, Even when we can't feel Him or see Him moving, He's there and He's working on our behalf. The Lord will never leave nor forsake you. He sees everything you're going through, He knows everything you need, and He is concerned about you. Don't lose hope...God is faithful to perform His word. Hang in there, sis.
Lily, Yes ma'am! All we have to do is trust Him.
When you wrote "Can I be honest, Lord? Sometimes I feel tired in the wait, and it seems like my righteous living is going unnoticed." it feels like you were in my personal prayer time and took those words right out of my mouth. Sometimes I feel like all my righteous living is in vain. I know we're not saved just to get stuff but those who live like the devil seem to have everything! I'm glad I have some scriptures to meditate on because I have been going through a lot and feeling very weak in my faith.
A biblical answer will shut down any complaining. I'm taking down all these scriptures and reading them whenever I feel like giving up in the waiting process. This was very, very helpful.
Been feeling forgotten and really low lately. This was on time for me. Thank you for writing from your heart. It has touched mine.
Kathy, Demetria, and Paris - Isn't it amazing how God can speak and minister to us all at once?! So glad all of you were blessed by this just as much as I was. Thanks so much for reading.
Love & Prayers,
Keisha
I got a 4.0 in school, graduated, and couldn't find a job. I felt like I had done everything right and was so discouraged, but God brought me through. Then I got the job of my dreams (or so I thought) only to be out of work again after my firm went belly up. It has been an emotional roller coaster ride. And just when I think I can't take it another day, I read this!! I felt like I was going off the deep end! Bills piling up and everything, but God sent a word through you. IF for no one else although I know this magazine has thousands of readers, but I feel like this was just for me. Your words saved me when I felt like I was drowning today. To God be the glory!
Beatrice, Praise God that this was an on-time word for you! God always knows just what we need.