Why Wait?

Do you ever feel like you're in a "holding pattern"?  You've got so many ideas; the Lord has given you a burden for a certain ministry - yet, circumstances just don't seem to be lining up.  Or the timing just doesn't seem quite right.  Or the opportunity just never seems to present itself.  Or someone else is asked to participate in the very thing you so long to minister in.  Or maybe you're just simply discouraged; it just doesn't seem as though the Lord is at work.

I was encouraged this morning in my quiet time to study the following verses:

Psalm 130:5-7

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Our God is merciful and there is "plenteous" redemption when we wait on Him!

Galatians 6:9

⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God promises that we WILL reap if we just hang in there!

Hebrews 6:12

¹² That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God says we will inherit the promises - HIS promises!  What a blessing!  What an encouragement that is to my heart.  :)

Hebrews 10:35-36

³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence (payment) of reward.
³⁶ For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Wow - God says that my payment will be reward; that when I endure, when I keep doing the will of God, I will receive His promises.  To me, this is a wonderful incentive to "hang in there"!

James 1:3-4

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (mature) and entire, wanting nothing.

So many of us want to grow in the Lord, what to become that "mature, godly" Christian - but we don't want to accomplish that God's way - we want to take the shortcut; we want "instant" godliness.  But God's Word tells us that when our faith is tried, we gain endurance.  And endurance is what leads to maturity and godliness...and we all know there is nothing "instant" about endurance!!  

James 5:11

¹¹ Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (full of compassion), and of tender mercy.

Our Lord knows our hearts; He knows our desires and He knows our needs.  He knows when we're ready to move head and He knows the best way to get us ready. "All" we have to do is "wait" - wait by doing the things He's set before us today; taking the opportunities He gives us today.  Tomorrow will come, and other opportunities, other ministries, other results will come - as we wait and serve and rejoice in the things He has put on our plates today.  He is full of compassion and tender mercy - He knows exactly what and when we need something.  

You can trust Him - He will not fail you.  :)