Just Wait

Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

~ Psalm 27:14 NIVUK

I know no one really likes waiting, but we all have to: at the grocery store, for a doctor’s report, for pay day, for fun events, etc. When we have to wait longer than we want, we often get uptight and upset. The Israelites grumbled while they waited. Saul got impatient while he waited on Samuel. Abraham and Sarah got impatient while they waited, too. The amount of time waiting doesn’t have as much to do with the outcome as our attitudes and actions while waiting.

Don’t get me wrong, I get impatient, too. I love living in this high-speed internet and microwave world. Our attitudes while waiting have nothing to do with what’s available at our fingertips, but with our focus. Our focus shapes both our attitudes and our actions.

God told the Israelites, Abraham and Sarah, and Saul about the promise He would give them. They all set their gaze upon the promise, and off the promise-Giver. When our focus is all about the thing – healing, restored relationships, better finances, gifts at Christmas – and no longer about the Promise-Giver, then we’ve already lost.

Isaiah 40:31 says our strength is renewed because we wait upon the Lord. Psalm 27:14 tells us to be strong and take heart and to wait on the Lord.

Our heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His kids. But He wants – and designed us for – a relationship with Him. When we go against the design, things begin to break down. But when we focus on our relationship with God, He takes care of the design and plan, leaving us free to worship and rejoice.

Today, if you’re waiting on God to come through on a promise, focus on your relationship with Him. Spend time worshiping God and let Him work everything out, as He planned.