When God Says Wait
When you read, “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14) what is your response?
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
I am currently in a season where it feels like doors are closing just as fast as they are opening. With that being said, I have more clarity and trust in God’s provision than I ever have. Isn’t it funny how often times the less you (think you) know, the better? I’ve found that I have the most peace when I have handed over the reins of my life into the hands of my wonderful and all-knowing Heavenly Father.
My prayer is that you too would find peace, comfort, and contentment in God’s promises found in Scripture as you walk through the twists and turns of life, holding onto the One Who leads with purpose.
He is…Sovereign
I will admit, change is hard for me and closed doors can feel extremely discouraging, BUT when I look at my life in light of God’s perfect sovereignty, I can only trust that He knows best and I do not.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
He is…Provider
A dear friend of mine (if you’re reading this, you know who you are) reminded me that we are to pray for our daily bread, not tomorrow’s bread or next year’s bread. Bread was a symbol of God’s provision for His people in the Old Testament and this provision remains true for the Christian today. Since I don’t know what my life will look like in a month from now, or even a day from now, I will trust He gives me enough grace for today. I will trust that the bread He gives me today will be sufficient for today.
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2 Corinthians 9:8
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:30-34
He is…Trustworthy
About a month before I was supposed to start grad school, I felt like the Lord was telling me to unenroll. I had no peace about moving forward with my initial graduate school plans, but I also had no “backup plan”. I tried to take matters into my own hands and attempted to force open doors that were closed. I was enrolled in two different graduate schools within four months, yet I found myself in the same place—without peace. I had a pit in my stomach and knew I couldn’t move forward, but no clear direction or answers about the future. I was left with one choice—to trust His lead and take a step of faith.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26
He is…Peace-Giver
He promises peace “which passeth all understanding.” This means I can have peace without having to understand why things happen the way they do and without clearly knowing what tomorrow may hold. It was extremely difficult to trust and obey my convictions, but I can confidently say I have more peace without knowing, than I did when I (thought) I knew what this semester would look like. This is the supernatural peace only He can give.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
So, what am I to do now?
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
I am to wait patiently upon the Lord to establish my steps. I am to trust that He will make a way and that He will lead me where I am to go. I am to keep my mind stayed on thee, to renew my mind by staying in the Word, to wait patiently, and allow Him to direct my steps.
How do I know I can trust the promises in Scripture?
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Because His Word does not return void, but it will accomplish that which He pleases.
