nobody likes to wait

With each passing day, we see more and more atrocities in this world. The floods in North Carolina, wildfires in Los Angeles, and recently the plane crash in Maryland. Not to mention the struggles we experience in our own lives. The loss of a loved one, uncertainty in the job market, and challenges in our relationships. The trouble we experience in this world can at times feel overwhelming.

I’m sure this is exactly how the children of Israel felt when they were carried into exile by the Babylonians. God, where are you? What happened to the promises you made us? When will you rescue us?

Here was God’s response in Isaiah 40:28-31,

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (ESV)

God’s response to calamity in our world and our lives is the same as it was to the children of Israel, I’m still God, I’m in control, trust and wait on me.  Unfortunately, the cares and challenges of life tend to cause us to forget, doubt, and sometimes question His authority on the earth.

The questions God asks in these verses are reminders to recall all that God has done in the lives of His people. He is saying to us, “Don’t you know about me? Didn’t you hear what I did? I am always God.” He does not change with our moods, tragedies, or losses. He remains the everlasting Creator of all things.

While we may need rest, vacations, and breaks from the challenges of life, God is NEVER wearied. He needs no breaks. The encouragement here is that regardless of how unstable things may become in this world, God remains constant. His love, grace, mercy, righteousness, and truth are not governed around our lives. This is good news.

As the Creator of all things, He has the power and authority to give us strength in our times of weakness. The word power in Hebrew means strength or ability. No one is more qualified to give us the strength we need to resist sin in our lives, go through challenges, and stand for truth. And when we feel our strength is running out, He promises to increase the little that we have.

The power promised here is supernatural. We see this in verse 30, “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted.” The strength we receive from God empowers us to persevere through any challenge and wait for God to move in our situation.

Waiting is one of the most difficult things to do. In 1970, scientist Walter Mischel conducted a study where he placed a toddler in a room with a marshmallow and left him for twenty minutes. The toddler was told that if he didn’t eat the marshmallow when he returned, he would give him two marshmallows. The study showed that those who were able to wait the longest were more likely to experience success in life. The ability to wait is so vital in our lives. Waiting is simply accepting the space between what we want and what we have. We all want God to fix our relationships, improve our work environment, and rid the world of injustice. The question is never will God do it, but can you wait for him to do it?

How do we wait on the Lord?

1. Recall the faithfulness you have experienced with the Lord

2. Embrace our total dependence upon God

3. Trust him for spiritual strength

4. Be patient and quiet

5. Expect the Lord to deliver you

Wait patiently on the Lord, He is fully aware of every ongoing situation in your life and will give you the strength necessary to get through it. 

Scripture references for this week’s Blog

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (ESV)

Lamentations 3:25

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (ESV)

Isaiah 30:18

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (ESV)