Patience has never been my strong suit. Some would say this is typical of firstborns, but seeking to justify natural behavior just doesn't cut it in the spiritual realm. Patience, as the saying goes, is a virtue. More accurately, patience is essential:
"Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)
Waiting can be the very thing that tries patience. It can easily lead to impatience, discouragement, and even despair. But, the Psalmist reminds us that true waiting is designed to build strength and courage.
When waiting leads to impatience and discouragement, the key problem may well be with our perception of our Father. Such negative thoughts are indicative of a perspective that our Father is inattentive and limited in His ability to act. With such an anemic view of the Almighty, waiting leads to worry.
Resolute faith in a God who is all-powerful and all-knowing draws us to wait expectantly for His solution in His time. Delays are not necessarily denials, but opportunities for the development of faith and character - qualities He prizes most highly.
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13)
Godly waiting never loses sight of the kingdom of God. Too often, our perspective is His intervention in this present age. We pray and seek healing for a loved one who is sick, and easily lose sight of the possibility that His healing plan is resurrection at the return of Christ. In our impatience, we seek conditions of the kingdom that are reserved for the age to come, rather than this present age.
Waiting for the LORD is more about process than results. So often we seek tangible answers and intervention, when His greater priority is preparing people now for His kingdom to come. Waiting, then, is about coming alongside Him in intimate relationship, and learning more of His will, ways, and character. As such, we do develop strength and courage based on a more accurate understanding of our amazing Father.
"Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
©Steve Taylor, 2013
"Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)
Waiting can be the very thing that tries patience. It can easily lead to impatience, discouragement, and even despair. But, the Psalmist reminds us that true waiting is designed to build strength and courage.
When waiting leads to impatience and discouragement, the key problem may well be with our perception of our Father. Such negative thoughts are indicative of a perspective that our Father is inattentive and limited in His ability to act. With such an anemic view of the Almighty, waiting leads to worry.
Resolute faith in a God who is all-powerful and all-knowing draws us to wait expectantly for His solution in His time. Delays are not necessarily denials, but opportunities for the development of faith and character - qualities He prizes most highly.
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13)
Godly waiting never loses sight of the kingdom of God. Too often, our perspective is His intervention in this present age. We pray and seek healing for a loved one who is sick, and easily lose sight of the possibility that His healing plan is resurrection at the return of Christ. In our impatience, we seek conditions of the kingdom that are reserved for the age to come, rather than this present age.
Waiting for the LORD is more about process than results. So often we seek tangible answers and intervention, when His greater priority is preparing people now for His kingdom to come. Waiting, then, is about coming alongside Him in intimate relationship, and learning more of His will, ways, and character. As such, we do develop strength and courage based on a more accurate understanding of our amazing Father.
"Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 8:53 AM
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