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...
