Waiting With Faith

Sometimes God places us in a holding pattern. Now I confess that I am not very good at waiting--okay, I'm impatient!  I have prayed for many things over many years, and most recently for some physical and spiritual needs. Through that process, here are a few things that God has shown me.  May God use it to encourage you.

In Isaiah 64:4-5a, the prophet reassures his people with these words: "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways." 

First, verse 4 tells us that God moves in response to someone's waiting expectantly on Him, putting his trust in God and not in anything or anyone else. I believe that Christians can wait on God with confidence for His timing, in His way, and for His glory!

Secondly, I was struck that God comes to the help of those who gladly do right.  "Gladly"!  My human tendency is to rejoice when God answers my prayers, but God wants us to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing "gladly" even when there is little or no results.  

When I do that by faith then I can remember His ways.  I confess that I pray more than I remember.  When I begin to remember how God has worked and what He has done for me in the past and how He has answered specific prayers, I am humbled, repentant, and amazed all at once.  I have seen Him heal, open doors, mend relationships, change hearts, provide jobs, and so much more.  I have seen how He has moved people to prayer and have tasted and experienced Him moving in genuine revival and all of a sudden, I am filled with new hope and anticipation.

May the Lord, refresh, encourage, and direct you as you gladly wait upon Him with faith while remembering His goodness and grace in the past!