This is Part 4 of 5 in a blog series about waiting. Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7a ESV
“Patience is the will to wait.”
Dr. Charles Stanley
Today we’re having story time, because we are blessed to have Biblical accounts of followers of God who struggled with being patient in the waiting.
Story #1: Abraham and Sara
God promised Abraham that his offspring would be more numerous than the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:1-21 ESV). But Abraham was not patient. He had no children and was getting older, so he and Sarah took having children into their own hands (Genesis 16:1-16 ESV).
And just how well did that work out?
But God promised him again that he would be the “father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis 17:1-14 ESV) and would have a son with Sarah (Genesis 17:15-27 ESV).
Abraham and Sarah waited. . . .and waited and waited.
And Abraham is remembered for his patience: “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will bless you and multiply you.’ And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:13 ESV
Story #2: The Israelites in the Desert
God promised to deliver His people from their oppression as slaves in Egypt and give them the land He promised to Abraham (Exodus 6:1-9 ESV). But the Israelites were not patient. “Then they believed his words, they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert.” (Psalm 106:12-14 ESV)
And just how well did that work out?
But God promised to keep His covenant with Abraham despite the Israelite’s 40 years in the desert (Numbers 32:10-13 ESV).
The Israelites waited. . . and waited and waited.
And God called Joshua to lead His people into the land He promised to give them (Joshua 1:1-9 ESV).
But wait, there’s more!
In both of these situations we see that:
- God heard the cry of His people:”I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 ESV
- The people needed to be patient: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7 ESV
– Bonus thought: David wrote this verse after writing that we should trust in the Lord (vs. 3), delight ourselves in the Lord (vs. 4), and commit our way to the Lord (vs. 5). And then, again, we are to told to trust him (vs. 5). So maybe waiting isn’t about sitting still but worshipping in the wait.
Which of your current situations can use a bit more patience this week?
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7a ESV
