Embracing God's Timing

By Susan Nichols, Fellowship Bible Church CR Devotional team member 4/4/2018

Learning How to Wait Well

I once knew a couple who wanted a baby more than anything. They prayed earnestly and waited patiently for God to provide. There were times when they stood firm in their faith and times they wondered if they'd actually heard God promise them a child. Finally, when God decided the time was right, they had a son. They waited 18 long years to hold the answer to their prayers. Have you ever dreamed of something that seemed forever out of your reach? Have you felt the sting of the delayed answer to prayer? The Bible is packed with stories of people who waited on God. Here are just a few:

• 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, whose womb had been closed by the Lord. "...year after year..." Hannah remained barren until, at last, God allowed her to have a son--Samuel (vv. 3-8).
• David waited 11 years from the time of his anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13) till he became king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). Many of those years were spent in survival mode--hiding in caves, shepherding other people's sheep, and pretending to be crazy (1 Samuel 21).
• Joseph spent 22 years in Egypt--as a slave, in prison under false accusation, then as a servant to the king--before being reunited with his family (Genesis 37:2, 41:46).

"What God-given heart's desire still burns within you?"

In every one of these stories, no matter how hopeless things seemed, God showed Himself faithful. He closed Hannah's womb, but opened it again, washing away her shame with the birth of Samuel. David was anointed King and reigned over all Israel for 40 years, in spite of all Saul's desperate attempts to keep the throne. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers but eventually ruled over them just as his dreams had foretold. I can almost hear their fervent prayers as they pleaded with God, "When, Oh Lord, when...?" What about you?

Tell me, what God-given heart's desire still burns within you? Have you doubted, wondered, or questioned whether it would come to pass? Have you become impatient and taken things into your own hands? Maybe you put it out of your mind, trying to forget it. Brother, Sister--let me reassure you that if God has placed a dream in your heart, He will bring it to pass. I understand how hard it is to wait on Him, but know that He is always at work, whether we see Him or not. He does everything with intent and knows that timing is key.

"Our job is to lean into the wait and release our grasping hands."

Our seasons of waiting are intended to refine and prepare us for receiving what He has for us. Our job is to lean into the wait and release our grasping hands. At times, I've felt that my dreams were like pieces of paper stuck to my hands with glue. I pictured the cartoon characters who tried in vain to shake that paper off, only to have it stick somewhere else. I didn't want to feel the intensity of unfulfilled longing. I'd rather have not had the desire at all, but when God places a dream within our hearts it's not going to leave us. Instead, we must learn the art of patience, the way of waiting.

We must find the balance between being still and working. It's easy to slip into self-effort and either do nothing or do more than He has asked of us. We must surrender our lives and loves to Him on a daily basis, asking Him to have His way in every aspect of every single thing.

Scriptures:

Micah 7:7 "But I will watch for the Lord; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me."

Romans 12:12 "Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times."

And also: Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 130:5-6, Mark 9:24, James 1:12.

Heavenly Father: You alone know the thoughts and intents of the heart. You have placed desires in my heart that I long to see fulfilled. More than anything, I want to please you. Help me to hear your voice clearly. Help me to wait on your timing, but also be obedient. Thank you for knowing what is best for me. Thank you for doing what is best for me. I trust you in this and in all things. ~~Amen

Click HERE to listen to "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle