Worth The Wait

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:5

WAITING. The worst spiritual discipline in the world. Especially for those of us who like movement. I remember applying to gobs of places after I graduated from college and then spending months waiting. When my newly married husband got up each morning and went off to work, I smiled and waved, then minutes later crumbled and cried. Worthlessness mounted with every passing day. Waiting for a job was such a helpless place.

When we talk about God being a present help in our times of worry and trouble, I want His presence to mean action, now. Because that’s how I would run the world. But presence doesn’t necessarily mean movement. The psalmist writes of Jerusalem, “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.”

Mountains are slipping into the sea, the earth is shaking, and we can’t help but question why God is going to wait until morning to help. What about the dark night, God? Doesn’t Your city need You now?

Yet again this is where I have to swallow the truth that God’s ways are higher; His thoughts are better. The Creator of time tops my timetable. He is never late, and He is always with us. His help looks different from what we might expect—and it arrives at different times from when we might expect. But we see numerous times throughout the Bible how God’s timing was worth the wait:

Jonah. God was maturing him during three dark days in the belly of a fish. The result? A whole city ended up being saved and rescued.

Lazarus. God was getting ready to show his power over death as Lazarus lay in the grave for four days. The result? Lazarus was raised to life and many believed.

Jesus. God was preparing to change the outcome of many people’s lives as Jesus lay in the tomb for three days. The result? Jesus’ resurrection and our everlasting life with Him.

May “when morning dawns” be a promise you hold onto during your longest night. Our seasons of waiting are so very tied to His grace. God is with you, and He will help you through every hard moment as you wait. Your trust in His timing looks amazing on you.

GRACE REFLECTION: Pray with me, “God, so often I wait impatiently, believing nothing is going to happen in the waiting. But time and again You show me You are there. Increase my faith in the waiting. Help me to know You are alive and active in the dark, quiet places. Amen.”