Waiting Room

It seems to be a hallmark of mature Christians to have a story of having to wait years and years on God and then seeing Him come through with beauty, wisdom, and grace. But the Bible is full of people who took matters into their own hands when they thought God needed a little help, and it created all sorts of havoc.

When Abraham got tired of waiting, he got his maidservant pregnant and caused all sorts of problems (Genesis 16:1-16; 21:8-21).

Saul was terrified by the approaching Philistine army, and instead of waiting on God for how to proceed, he consulted a medium—something God had explicitly warned against (1 Samuel 28).

Others, who made up their minds to wait with patience, have better stories: Joseph had to wait twelve years before he became the assistant to Pharaoh and head of all Egypt (Genesis 37; 39–41).

David had to wait decades from the time he was anointed king until the time he was finally crowned king over all the houses of Israel (1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 2).

Waiting and persevering seem to have an incredible value to God. His timing never seems to be as soon as mine—but He is so good and always faithful, just in a different way than my impatient heart wants Him to be.

Waiting proves (or disproves!) the strength of our hearts and our convictions. If we do it well, it strengthens our faith. It increases our capacity to long for heavenly answers instead of just being satisfied with earthly, immediate fixes.

His Promises

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

The LORD is good to those who depend on him,

to those who search for him.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.