Season
Waiting
When God seems slow and the answer hasn't come.
What this is
You've prayed for healing, a spouse, a child, work, or someone to come to faith, and nothing seems to happen. Waiting is one of the hardest parts of faith. Abraham, Joseph, Hannah and David all knew it.
God's timing is not ours, but He is good to those who wait for Him (Lamentations 3:25-26). Waiting is often where trust grows deep roots.
Keep praying honestly. Jesus told a story so His followers would always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). Like David in Psalm 13, tell God it's taking too long.
Meanwhile, do today's work and love today's people. Silence from heaven doesn't mean God has forgotten you.
Hold on to this
Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
Read slowly: How long, LordPsalm 13:1-6
1How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me? 3Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death, 4lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall. 5But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. 6I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart.
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Where to next
- Name what you're waiting forWrite it down and give it to God again in prayer. Be specific.
- Pray Psalm 13 aloudNotice how it moves from asking how long to choosing trust. Pray the same way.Read Psalm 13
- Ask others to prayTell two friends what you're waiting for and ask them to keep praying.
- Do the next faithful thingPick one thing in front of you this week and do it well.
- Remember past answersList the times God came through for you. Read it when hope runs low.
Watch out: Taking control
When waiting drags on, it's tempting to force the outcome, as Abraham and Sarah did with Hagar (Genesis 16:1-4).
Pray
Lord, You know what I'm waiting for and how long it has been. I don't understand Your timing, but I choose to trust You. Give me patience, keep my hope alive, and help me be faithful today.