Wait for it

Who likes to wait? Have you ever pleaded your case for God’s mercy and then felt that you were still waiting for it? You know that He is good and faithful…but you’re still waiting. It might even appear that your situation is too far gone. Are you tempted to give up? Maybe as you wait you’re thinking, ”After all, I’m not that good, so maybe that’s why He is not answering.”

Hang in there! He hears. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Take comfort in knowing that, according to Psalm 90:4, a thousand years in His sight are like a day that has just gone by. Silence doesn’t mean He has walked away. The verse also states that God is like a watch in the night. He is watching over you in the meantime. God knows the desires of your heart. God has the power to decide the outcome.

Did you know that God’s perspective and ours are different? He sees the big picture. He is working things out according to His purposes. His mercy is new every single morning (Lamentations 3:32-33). He can transform a difficult situation. His ways are beyond our ways. In 2 Samuel 24:14, King David said that he’d rather fall in God’s hands than in human hands. God is reliable.

So, what do you do if you’ve been waiting for a while? Wait some more. He knows what’s best for you. Ask for strength and patience and courage to thank Him for the waiting period. It is sheer trust when things don’t go your way but you still believe and still choose to be thankful. God is a good and merciful Father. Empty your heart before Him and ask Him about what’s in His.

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m searching for answers and I realize that there’s no better place to go than to run to you. I thank you for your goodness and for your mercy. I repent of any wrongdoings. I know that there’s abundant mercy in your heart to forgive me and I thank you for that. Give me the strength that I need to keep going, to keep believing that you have my best interest at heart, in Jesus’ name. Thank you. Amen.

Go deeper — If you’re waiting for a response from God regarding a certain thing that you desire in your heart, take a few minutes to ask Him what’s in His heart. Focus on His heart for a moment, not on yours.

To go even deeper, read Practicing Patience When God Has You Waiting or Delay is Not Denial.