Category: christianity

Waiting…Expectantly

 

There’s a HUGE difference in the way believers should be waiting.

If we believe that God is in control. That what happens in our lives has reason and meaning. That even when we can’t see or understand what’s going on…God is still in the business of “working all things for our good” (Romans 8:28).

Then we should be expecting something—anticipating God to do something.

 

As we draw ever nearer to Christmas, I pray that we would find our childlike faith. Watch a child and how they are just about to burst with anticipation.

God is about to break into the scene afresh.

Anticipate it. Expect it. Rejoice in it.

PRAYER: God, I want to believe you are working all things for my good. I don’t always see it. I don’t expect it. Forgive me for doubting and looking for the other shoe to drop. Renew my childlike faith and give eyes to see you working anew and afresh. Amen.

 

Waiting, Steadfastly

But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7, ESV

 

“But as for me…”

Even when no one else will wait.

When waiting makes no sense to anyone else.

I’m going to wait on God.

Why?

Because He is the God of my salvation and I know that He has heard me…and will hear me.

PRAYER: God, sometimes it’s hard to wait on you. Others give up and I feel alone. But as for me…I would rather be without my friends than to be without the God who saves me and hears me when I call. Amen.

 

As a Watchman Waits

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

 

I have a friend who says God wired certain people to work third shift. I am not one of them.

But I have had to work third shift, and so I get what the Psalmist is talking about.

 

I would start my shift well, but somewhere around 3:00 the hours would begin to drag and staying awake became the hugest chore of all. I would start begging the hands of the clock to move.

I’d scan the horizon for any sign of morning light.

And now I wonder: do I look and long with that same intensity for the Lord?

Advent gives us the opportunity to practice, but are we even looking?

PRAYER: God, we confess that our souls are often very weak at watching. We are consumed with the daily-ness of life. In these remaining days of Advent help us to be faithful watchers, anticipating and longing to see you every step of the way. Amen.

 

Wait…It’s Today

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

 

“How many days till Christmas?”

Isn’t that a child’s #1 question this time of year?

Where would they ever get the idea to wish this day away and hope for one to come?

I’m going to wager a guess it might be from the adults around them. You know the folks who look forward to Friday, or teachers whose calendars mark the days until summer, or grandparents counting down to retirement.

 

We all do it. Maybe it helps to have a date out on the horizon to get through the pain, despair, loneliness, and drudgery of today.

But if tomorrow doesn’t come?

Do you know the day that matters most to God?

 

Give us this day…Today if you hear his voice…Today is the day of salvation.

You have today. Enjoy it. Revel in it. Live in it. Give thanks for it.

PRAYER: Thank you God for today. This day. Keep me here to live to your glory and honor. Amen

 

The Joy of Waiting

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy Colossians 1:11

 

Patience with joy.

Happy to wait.

Seems contradictory. Contra-indicated.

Hard.

But it is his gift…his enablement. And our choice.

 

PRAYER: God, you give us all good gifts. As we wait on you, for you, and with you, help us to consider what we have, where we are, and what will come…all things with an attitude and action of pure joy. Amen.

 

Waiting Through Construction

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

 

He loves you too much to leave you where you are. “It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.” He’s still working. Life is journey. Growth is process.

PRAYER: Thank you Creator God for your commitment to finishing the work you started in me. Amen.

Learning From Waiting

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:5

 

Are you waiting? Think it has no purpose? Have you looked for what you’re supposed to be learning? Have you listened to the teacher, the Master?

Start by looking for the truth…and wait.

 

When my grandson was very young any long period of time was dubbed, “Allllll day.” You could ask how long he had been playing with his cars and he would be respond, “Alllll day.” It could been five or ten minutes, but his response was always the same.

How long have you been waiting? No matter how long, wait for Him, “Alllll day.”

PRAYER: God, you are such a patient teacher. Forgive us for failing to look for, listen to, and heed the lessons. We know we have much to learn. Help us to stick with it “Alllll day.” Amen.

 

Waiting and Integrity

May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. (Psalm 25:21, ESV)

 

It’s been said that integrity is doing what is right when no one is looking.

Sometimes, when we have to wait, we can get ourselves into trouble thinking, “No one’s watching, what difference will it make?”

Someone is always watching. You are never alone. God knows.

Let your integrity preserve you…wait for him.

Grace and Mercy

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18, ESV)

 

He asks no less of us than he would do for us.

PRAYER: God, I want to live like you. Teach me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly after you. Amen.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. (Lamentations 3:25, ESV)

What counsel do you think you might get from Abraham on this? Abe knew the disaster of not waiting on God. And we’ve been paying for it every since.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I told my children to wait for me, to not rush ahead, to trust me. I always had (and continue to have) their best interests at heart.

God is the perfect father. Wait for his timing. Trust him. Seek him. What he has for you is good.

PRAYER: God, our good and loving Father. Grow trust in my heart. Show me most clearly where and how you are working in my life. I want to see you…I seek you. I love you. Amen.