Sunday, May 22, 2016

Who is Waiting Upon Whom?

Hey Friend,

Thank you for bearing with me as I am totally off my writing schedule...Would you take a look at these faces that are beaming with smiles because their lives have been transformed by Jesus through the work of Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc.?




In my work with the school and the foundation, there has been a lot of waiting involved.  Waiting as we went through the legal process of being incorporated.  Waiting, after putting together the application for 501c3 status, for the IRS to grant us approval.  Waiting for people's hearts to be softened to want to sponsor children...waiting, waiting, waiting.

My own "life scripture"  talks about my periods of waiting, through intense trials in my life, for God to hear my cry and rescue me:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and be in awe and put their trust in the Lord.  (Psalm 40: 1-3)

Now, I confess, I didn't exactly wait patiently.  In fact, I was very often impatient while I waited.  But, the fact remains that God was faithful to rescue me when I waited upon Him.

Another verse we are quick to quote when someone is growing weary in the waiting process is Isaiah 40:31: (say this one with me...you know it)

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.

What a beautiful and encouraging promise if we can just persevere, hang in there, and wait. 

Do you notice how the emphasis is always on us being diligent and waiting upon God?

What if we flipped this on its head? 

We think we've done well if we've waited weeks, or months, or even years...

What if we had been waiting since the beginning of time, and would still be waiting even in the end times?

That's exactly what God has been doing...waiting on mankind!!

In the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, we are told:

"Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God."  (Isaiah 30:18)

Isn't it interesting to read how the Lord is not waiting to chide us with, "What took you so long?"  No, He's waiting to show us mercy (also known as lovingkindness) and compassion.  Who does that?  Who waits patiently to be nice?  God doesn't get miffed if He's kept waiting for a long time...Wow!

And how does the Lord wait?  He is always on the ready...He's not far away and distant- having to jump on the Concord to catch a speedy flight to our side...no, He's always right there beside us, waiting for us to turn to Him. He is always present.

He who watches over Israel will neither slumber not sleep.  (Psalm 121:4)

In the Old Testament, we see a God who never slumbers, who is always "open" 24/7.  If we turn to Him in the wee and restless hours when we can't sleep - He's right there waiting on us.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, this amazingly patient triune God bids us to "Come"  over 1400 times.

Old and New Testaments record Him inviting us to "Ask"  over 700 times.

Even in the apocalyptic writing in Revelation, we find Jesus still waiting.  Unlike the FBI that busts down the door with gun cocked and ready, Jesus stands and waits.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3:20)

The Alpha and the Omega, the Creator of the Universe, the One who has always been and always will be, has been waiting. 

Who is He waiting so patiently on?

You....

Me...

I sometimes wonder if God doesn't have the urge to say, "Will you just slow down for a minute so that I can love on you?  I've been here waiting for you all along."

What a wonderful God we have who waits patiently to lift us out of the slimy pit, to give us a firm place to stand, to give us good things and our heart's desire, to put a new song of rejoicing in our mouth. 

More than anything, He waits patiently to give us the gift of Himself.  How long, I ask, are we going to keep Him waiting?

Dear Lord, thank you for your enduring patience.  I praise you that you wait on me, not to offend, but to show me mercy, compassion, lovingkindness, and forgiveness.  You invite me to Come and to Ask for the good gifts you have in store for me.  You wait to give me yourself and the gift of Life.  You wait for me to come running into your arms where a refuge like none other waits for me.  Thank you Lord...help me to not keep you waiting...In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Be blessed...





22 comments:

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing those beautiful faces up there! : ) Thank you for having patience and wading through all the "stuff" you had to, to be able to set up this foundation, Bev! The Lord has blessed so many because of your hard work.

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    1. Lisa,
      Thank you for your continual encouragement and support!! You and your generous heart have been a large reason for the success of RCF, Inc. Thanks to people like you, lives are being transformed!
      Love you sweet friend,
      Bev

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  2. Oh, those faces! They can't help but make you smile. I love how you emphasize God's waiting to pour out His kindness to us. As a parent, I think that must be a true act of patience. Wanting to give, and waiting until a child is ready to receive. Beautiful, Bev. ((xoxo))

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    1. Brenda,
      Don't those smiles melt your heart! What a wonderful God we have who waits patiently to pour out his lovingkindness on us! Praise!
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev xo

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  3. I understand waiting and like you and I am not always good at it. I can be very patient but others times I just want to throw that all out the window and grab for my future without waiting for it. The pictures of those children are beautiful and show such joy. I am so glad you shared them. Blessings on this week and the ministry that God has so graciously given to you.

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    1. Mary,
      I am not very patient either...God is still working that into me...I'm a slow study :) Thanks for your encouragement about RCF, Inc. ministry. God is showing me how to pour out into these beautiful children of His.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  4. I am not good at waiting either- it is hard to be patient. But I love how you turn this round to encourage us to think about God waiting: for us to listen, for us to turn to him, for us to agree to do things his way. I'm glad he waits for us and that he is more patient than I am.

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    1. Carly,
      In many respects, I'm glad that God is not like me. He's patient, not moody or fickle; He doesn't get huffy or disappointed...God being God makes Him the loving Father that He is. So thankful His ways are higher than mine!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  5. Bev, thank you for turning this waiting act on its head and revealing just how much God waits for us. It's a perspective we rarely consider as we go about our days, often growing impatient at the slightest delay in our schedules, not to mention how long it seems to get an answer to our prayers! God has been dealing with me about my impatient spirit and this post truly hits home as it should. It also leaves me in awe, especially with these words: "More than anything, He waits patiently to give us the gift of Himself", because they show just how much God longs to be with us and how easy it is to miss being close to Him. Bless you for patiently waiting on God, bringing us beautiful smiley faces to brighten our day, and letting Him speak through the gracious words He has given you to share.

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    1. Joy,
      Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement!! They bless me. Amen that we waits patiently to give us the gift of Himself. Why do I ever put that gift on hold?? You are not alone...we all have impatient spirits and the society's attitude of "get it immediately" doesn't help. Joining with you in seeking to wait patiently on God and appreciate how He waits for us...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  6. I love the way you looked at the concept of "waiting on God" from so many different angles, Bev. And I agree that God is so good to wait patiently for us and never rub that fact in our noses when we finally sit and listen. Inspiring words, my friend! And praying for your ministry to flourish!

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    1. Beth,
      I know if I had waited from the beginning of time on my children, my first words would not be so nice. But, so thankful that we have an all loving God who never rubs our noses in our disobedience. Thanks for your prayers for the ministry!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. WOW. I love that verse in psalm 40! But the part I love the most was how you flipped it on us and how God has been waiting from the beginning of time. POWERFUL! This is exactly what I needed to hear as I become diligent and wait on the Lord. Wow. visiting from #tellhisstory #3

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    1. Kristina,
      So glad you stopped by...welcome! Isn't it amazing to think how long God has been waiting on us? Even to the end of time, Jesus will still be knocking and waiting for those who will answer and invite Him in - simply amazing!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  8. I, too, was caught by surprise as you focused our attention on how long God waits upon us. Oh, mat I not keep him waiting! May I be quick to listen and eager to obey! P.S. God bless those radiant children! May your waiting-on-God, Bev, pay great dividends in their lives.

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    1. Nancy,
      It was truly an "ah ha" moment for me too when I began to think, not just about my waiting on God, but how long and how patiently He waits on me. Yes, may we not keep him waiting!! Thank you for your prayers for the children...God bless you!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  9. Hi Bev, I visited your foundation's website. You are doing a great job.The Lord continue to keep you and your team in Jesus name.

    Many blessings to you

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    1. Ifeoma,
      Thank you for visiting and for your sincere prayers!!
      Blessings to you this day,
      Bev

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  10. Bev, I was reading in Psalm 40 myself the other day and noticed this:
    Verse one tells how the psalmist waited patiently before the Lord (this is SO hard). And then I kept on reading and further down, he pleads with the Lord to make haste! That encouraged me so much because that's how I usually find myself waiting!

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    1. Michele,
      You and me both...trying to be patient, but praying under my breath that He would make haste. So thankful that our Father is mindful of our frame and knows we are but dust...Hope you have a long relaxing weekend my friend!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  11. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Your welcome, Leigh...thanks so much for taking a moment to comment!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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