I tend to get impatient at traffic signals, in checkout lines, when people are late for meetings, or the answer to my prayer doesn’t come when I would like, etc., etc. A recent Barna survey showed most of us struggle with impatience. As the survey reported, patience scored as the second lowest practiced virtue in Christians today. Only self-control scored lower.
In the midst of that, the Bible says Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices (Psalm 37:7, ESV). We know that King Saul’s impatience brought God’s judgment upon himself (1 Sam. 13:8-14). I shudder to think of all God’s promises and learning opportunities I’ve missed because of my impatience in getting things done.
The stunning part is the Bible says So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help (Isaiah 30:18, NLT2). Really?! I thought I was waiting for Him when actually He is waiting for me!
Why would He wait for us? This offers important insight into His ways. He is like the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen (James 5:7, NLT2). As a farmer or gardener waits for his grain or her veggies to ripen, God too patiently waits until the seed of His purpose for us ripens.
The Bible explains He waited until the fullness of time had come, [then He] sent forth his Son, born of woman… (Galatians 4:4, ESV). He has a purpose we can’t see or understand that must ripen before He moves on. Revelation 14:15 and 18 record that although God sees the hearts of men are evil, He waits for them to ripen before He brings judgment. So why should we be surprised that He waits for the righteousness planted in our hearts at salvation to mature in such a way it changes us into the likeness of Jesus Christ? Paul explains He has predestined [a believer] to be conformed to the image of his Son(Romans 8:29). He planted His life in each believer and then waits for each of us to allow His Spirit to change us from the inside out. He also explains we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV). So, if a person isn’t being transformed into His image as He has purposed, it most likely is because the person isn’t spending time waiting in His presence beholding the glory of the Lord which is when His Spirit brings about the metamorphosis. He is therefore waiting for us to make choices to spend extended time with Him in His Word, so He can finish that phase of His purpose in and for us.
Accepting the truth of His waiting on us will renew our motivation and inspire us to wait in His presence. It will also empower us with confidence that our waiting will never be in vain. He wants to answer our request to be made like Him more than we even desire that to happen.
Has your waiting on God been misdirected? Have you been thinking God has been holding out on you when in fact He has been waiting for you to take time to marinate in His glory, so His Spirit can finish His purpose for you? Your fullness of joy will be enhanced as you wait in His presence. Doing so will also transform your desires and prayer which will result in them being fulfilled sooner.
So true and such a reminder of our need to sit on His presence and wait on Him.