The Discipline of Waiting

Scripture

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

~Psalm 27:14, AV

Quote

“Good things come to those who wait”

~Violent Fane

Generally speaking, Americans do not like to wait yet the bible commands us to wait upon the LORD in at least four places. Like it or not, we spend a lot of time waiting in doctor’s offices,  at traffic lights, in hospital waiting rooms, and in lines at the Kroger, Dollar General and the courthouse. Modern technology has spoiled Americans: we have instant coffee, fast food drive through restaurants, one hour cleaners, one hour optical and with modern computers, we have instant access to volumes of information that it would have taken a lifetime to gather just 50 years ago. Don’t get frustrated when you have to wait, it is a vital part of our sanctification.

  • Noah waited 120 years for God to send the rain and judgment.
  • Abraham waited 25 years for God to give him a son.
  • Moses waited 40 years for God’s call to deliver Israel.
  • Jacob waited 7 years for Rachel.
  • Joseph waited 13 years for vindication.
  • David waited 15 years to become king of Israel.
  • The Disciples waited 10 days to receive the Holy Spirit.

Don’t misunderstand, “Waiting on the LORD” is not a passive waiting. Noah 120 wait he labored on the Ark. While Abraham waited, He trusted God. He waited expectantly in faith. While Moses waited, he took care of sheep. Jacob waited while he worked tending to the livestock. Joseph was never idle: in the years of his waiting, he always found something to do. David served in the military while he waited and the disciples prayed as they waited. We are not talking about a lazy idle waiting but a vibrant active waiting.


But what is so great about waiting? Why wait at all?

  1. We humans have the tendency to get ahead of the LORD who is our Shepherd. He leads us and we follow Him. He never hurries or rushes and if we get in a rush we will miss His lead.
  2. Waiting is a discipline. God wants to teach us patience and the only way He can do this is to teach us to wait. He also teaches us while we are waiting.
  3. Waiting produces a better outcome. “Haste makes waste” said our wise forefather Ben Franklin. I read a quote by James Allen last week that stuck in my mind…”The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” James is on to something. Our creative juices work better when we are in a state of calm. As Joe Gill said to J.T. in CROSSFIRE TRAIL, “Slow down son and you will get a more harmonious outcome.”

What a difference a week makes in attendance. We went from 465 to 165. It looked like a plague had hit. I don’t understand it, I never have. Easter should be the norm not the exception but our commitment level is so low that he remains the exception.

June and I went to the Susan Hogan open house yesterday and Susan has a beautiful home and a delightful back yard: we loved it but we are too old for a house with an upstairs. If it had an elevator, I might be tempted.

If you need plants, see or call Jerry Segars. He has his own green house and the man has a green thumb. He has some beautiful plants.

Holly’s sister in law Amanda goes to UAB today for lots of test. She has cancer and it has destroyed one of her organs. They are going to see if she can get on a transplant list today. She is younger than Holly. I would guess early or middle 30’s.

Those of you who meet my brother in law last night: this is a picture of the car he was talking about. He told the say story every time I introduced him to someone. It is an Austin Healey Sprite. I had one in college. I could fill it up for less than 3$ but gas was only 20 cents a gallon.

 

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