My season of waiting in prayer and thanksgiving…

Remember: God’s timing is perfect – His plan is awesome, Amen.

His ‘Yes’ is for our good
His ‘No’ is for our good
and His ‘wait’ is for our good

Because He is good and does good (Psalm 119:68 ESV), I can give thanks for His blessings – even in the wait.

When David penned “I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:21 ESV) he embraced what we often fail to grasp – God always answers our prayers.
No matter if His voice is silent for a season, we can have confidence His answer will always come. (1 John 5:14 ESV)

When we experience a season of waiting for God’s reply we must remember God’s way of doing things and His way of thinking is far beyond what we can comprehend. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
God is omniscient – all knowing. He knows more than we do what tomorrow will bring. He knows what we will need, or not need, when tomorrow comes.

Habakkuk was familiar with waiting to hear God’s voice, too. In frustration he cries out “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:1 ESV)

God finally answers Habakkuk and says, “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (Habakkuk 1:5ESV)

When we find ourselves waiting, God says “Look around you. I have been working before you even heard my voice. If I had told you beforehand, you would not have believed the amazing work I am doing for you.”

When we are waiting to hear God’s voice, we can do what Habakkuk did: “I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me” (Habakkuk2:1 ESV)

How can we climb into our watchtower and look out to see what God will say? Through spending time in prayer and daily Scripture reading, we allow the Holy Spirit to remind us of God’s amazing blessings in our lives, even in the midst of heart-heavy circumstances, as we wait to hear His answer.

“I waited patiently for The Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

and wishes but in the abiding presence of our Lord.

This may sound strange, but a season of waiting may provide the opportunity for us to testify to God’s goodness. Waiting can even be a positive experience. It is through the periods of waiting that we experience God’s power doing “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). David’s witness to the power of God in his life was enhanced by his waiting, and it fueled his testimony. Later in the Psalm, David expresses how he would “not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly” (vs. 10). David’s experience of waiting, and his experience of the Lord in response to that waiting, is proclaimed to the people of faith. David’s story is told to inspire others to remain faithful to God in the midst of their waiting.

In a similar way, our story of waiting is part of our witness. Waiting opens us to ministry. Waiting provides the opportunity for us to experience the delights of God in sometimes miraculous ways. Our season of waiting, therefore, should not be looked down upon or condemned. Rather it should be lifted up and celebrated. As we hold ourselves open to God’s loving presence, we may just find ourselves experiencing the promises of God in a profound way. This, then, becomes an inspiration and an encouragement to others.

How might Jesus be asking you to use your time of waiting for His purposes?

Let us pray:

LORD of all time and space, I give to You this season of waiting, Amen. I ask that Your Essence use this ‘time’ for Your purposes. Where I am tempted to be frustrated or angered, may You bestow peace, Amen. Where I am tempted to long for my own will, help me desire Yours; Your Word says that ALL things work together for good in the lives of those who Love You and are called according to Your purpose. Where I am tempted to desire only my satisfactions, turn my attention to The Presence of my Savior. Help me wait with You, in You, and for You. Father, Your Essence is always working to my benefit. This ‘season’ of waiting/expectation has its purpose. I may never understand it, but I pray and ask that You be glorified LORD, Amen.

Dearest Jesus, I pray that this season of waiting be one where I grow in steadfast faith. Help me to hold onto Your promises in joyous hope, and even if I don’t see Your promise revealed in this moment, help me to trust in Your goodness, Your grace, and Your Love.

In this time of waiting, I pray that You give me a deeper vision of Your Presence. Help me, O Lord, to recognize the movement of Your hand and the gentle guiding of Your Spirit. Equip me with the gifts I need to proclaim Your Word and show forth Your goodness. May my testimony increase and my witness extend as a result of this time of waiting. But more than anything, may You be glorified above all things. This I pray in The name of The One in Whom I wait – Jesus. Amen.

Diving Deeper

Read each of the following Scriptures and journal about what they reveal about waiting on the Lord.