Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
I’ve heard many stories of adults who have childhood memories of their earthly parents who lived outside of their homes promising to come to pick them up for a visit or special occasion. As a child they would intently anticipate their parent coming, putting on their Sunday’s best, all dressed up, filled with excitement. Eagerly peeping out the window waiting or sitting on the edge of the steps expectantly watching each car that drove down the street hoping that it was their mom or dad.
These memories are still heartbreaking for them and the effects linger. The disappointment, anger, rejection, abandonment, and having feelings of not being good enough can have lifelong effects in their lives and their interpersonal relationships. The good news is, God is a Healer and He is not a man that He should lie.
Father’s promises are Rock solid! When He makes a promise it’s a done deal but it’s in the waiting, “in the middle”, that it gets hard. It’s in the middle that the wait seems too long but it’s also in the middle, the hard place, the “stuck” place that God is doing His best work.
Though it may seem like a stuck place this is where God is often placing the spotlight on us, equipping and working in us which is pleasing to Him.
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:21
I know very well that in the middle, in the waiting is a very difficult place. It tests the genuineness of your faith. You begin to doubt and speculate various outcomes and like the yearning child on the step, waiting eagerly for their parent, looking at all the different color cars coming down the street, hoping, praying; only it was the wrong car every time and they kept passing them by.
Maybe you’ve been praying, hoping, and believing Father’s promises for your marriage, your children, your finances, your health, a family member’s health, your fear, your strength, your breakthrough . . . . .
It seems like your prayers are not reaching God’s ears and you start to think that He has forgotten about you. Like the child looking out for their parent’s car coming down the street, you may get a glimpse of what you’ve been believing God for, things appear to be moving in the direction for which you’ve prayed only to have the “car” the answer to your prayer pass you by.
This is an unsettling place, a heart-wrenching, and sometimes confusing place. A place when our hope and faith can begin to seep but it can also be a most blessed place, a place for growth, and rest if we place ourselves under the shadow of the Almighty.
If we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, we are heirs and have a rich spiritual inheritance. As children of God, we have precious promises and He is faithful to keep them. Unlike some earthly parents, He always shows up. Like the old song goes, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’ll be there right on time.” May I add to that, in my experience, He may not come the way you think He will come, but He will come and come bearing precious gifts.
Listen to the word of the Lord and let it really sink to the depths of your heart, Hear . . . .
“You parents if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.” Matthew 7:9-11
Hallelujah! Father has good gifts for us! He desires to lavish us with gifts and most times the most precious gifts that He gives to us are in the waiting. It’s in the waiting that He gifts us by developing and molding us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ; the indescribable Gift!
When in the waiting He’s working into us patience, longsuffering, goodness, mercy, and humility. He’s stretching our trust, causing us to pursue Him and know Him in ways we would not have discovered lest we were in the waiting, in the pause. Though it feels like a stubborn stop, it’s only a pause for us to be still and know that He is God. A pause to learn from Him. A pause to reflect and examine our hearts. A pause for realignment. A pause for praise. A pause to adore Him. A pause to rest. A pause to listen to Father’s voice . . . .
The pause is the prelude to the promise.
What we feel like is a permanent stop is only a pause for God to do His best work in us while waiting for answers to our prayers. The pause is the prelude to the promise.
Be greatly encouraged in waiting. God has not forgotten you. God’s hand is not shortened that He cannot save nor His ear heavy that He cannot hear.
God’s most precious gifts are for our eternal good and that is what God is after. While in the waiting we catch His heart for us, we know Him more as a Faithful Father, loved on, healed, transformed, empowered, and strengthened in that season for the next season in our lives. Purposeful, that He IS!
Be still and allow God to do His best work in you while waiting. He has not passed you by. He is right there with you in the thick of it. He's in you!
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
He did not leave you an orphan. You have the Promise of the Holy Spirit inside you to help you every step of the way.
Father is sovereign and however and whenever He answers (and He will). He is still good. Still faithful. Still Father.
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If you are reading this and have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day! God loves you so much and He has a plan for your life. No need to wait until you "think" you have it all together. None of us have accomplished that but Jesus did. He died on the Cross for your sins and to give you eternal life. Won't you receive Him today?
Lord, I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. I believe You died and rose from the dead. Thank You for a new life in You. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer we're rejoicing along with the angels in heaven! Feel free to reach out via the contact email.
Prayers and brightest blessings ahead!
