Blessed Are Those Who Wait
I’m curious today what words best describe your waiting style. Are you patient and trusting, anxious and worried, angry and resentful, calm and peaceful, or perhaps some combination of these descriptions? I ask, as I’ve never heard anyone say they were particularly good at waiting, including myself. At the same time, it is something we all spend a good deal of time doing and will continue to do throughout our lifetime. And because of this, we’re wise to lean into seasons of waiting, as God uses these times in our lives, yet not to frustrate or discourage us, but rather to teach us, train us, and most significantly, to bless us.
For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help Isaiah 30:18 NLT
These are the words the prophet Isaiah spoke at a time when Judah had looked to Egypt rather than to God for help. Because of this, God sent Isaiah to remind His people of who He is and what He does. He is faithful and He also blesses those who wait for His help. Unfortunately, however, due to impatience and fear, God’s people grew weary in waiting, and decided to take matters into their own hands. Yet, Isaiah’s words served to remind God’s people then, and even now, of the blessing that results from waiting on Him.
Understanding Waiting
From our limited perspective, waiting may seem like a waste of time. Yet, from God's perfect perspective, waiting is purposeful and necessary. You see, God uses times of waiting in our lives for our ultimate good. The truth is, He alone knows what’s best for us, yet oftentimes we must realize His best takes time, requiring us to wait. Because of this, we must embrace seasons of waiting with an ,active posture of trust in His perfect timing. And if we’ll make this choice, we will experience His faithfulness, blessing, and His help!
Additional Promises for “Wait-ers”
Renewed strength—Isaiah 40:31
God’s goodness—Lamentations 3:25
Answered prayer, restored praise, and a testimony—Psalm 40:3
Deliverance—Proverbs 20:22
God’s support and intervention—Isaiah 64:4
Not to mention…
A secure future—Psalm 37:9
I think we would all agree that each of these outstanding promises is worth waiting for!
So, if like me, you find yourself in a season of waiting, let’s take heart together, knowing God is with us in our wait time. Additionally, we can be confident knowing He is actively at work behind the scenes of our wait time. It is only by embracing and rehearsing these truths that you and I are empowered to wait patiently, faithfully, and expectantly for the blessings that eventually come to those who wait (Isaiah 30:18).
Pray
Father God, I am so grateful knowing You are with me during seasons of waiting. I understand You allow waiting in my life for reasons I can’t always understand or see in the present. Empower me I pray, to wait with hope, assured that you are working all things together, including my “wait time” for my good and your purpose Roman 8:28). I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflect
In what ways have you experienced God working through “seasons of waiting” in your life for your ultimate good?
Encourage others with your response to this week’s question HERE or in the Comments section below.