Waiting for Grace

It is said that God answers prayers with one of three answers: yes, no, or wait.

Well, true—maybe. The statement presents an incomplete or rigid viewpoint. For quite often God does the waiting while His children are the ones who hinder or prevent forthcoming answers.

Sometimes, when we’re out-of-order, the Lord waits to be gracious . . . he [God] exalts himself to show mercy. . . . (Is. 30:18 RSV)

I like the Living Bible rendition of this verse: Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.

The nation of Judah was in a tight spot when Isaiah penned this. But rather than follow God they chose their own course of action and suffered dreadful consequences.

Meanwhile, God stood ready for the time when they would turn and call to Him. He waits to be gracious. . . .

Originally published August 28, 1981.
Picture: Dried crab apples of winter, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

The Value of Waiting

Most people hate to wait. Today’s lifestyle with its almost instant products and services—but its never-ending lines—seem to make us even more impatient.

Nevertheless, waiting can be exciting, a time of anticipation and discovery. Preparations for a major event are usually as significant as the event itself. And who hasn’t hit upon the solution to a problem or gained other valuable insight while patiently or impatiently waiting?

For many Christians, the season of Lent is an important time of waiting, a time to reflect upon the sacrifice of God and His Son Jesus, a time to anticipate the risen Christ of Easter, a time to encounter Truth while waiting for insight from Him.

The Psalmist said, Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. (Ps. 33:20,21 NKJV)

Originally published March 2, 1990.

Trusting God

One of the hardest aspects of the Christian walk is simple trust. Trust requires restraint—more restraint and therefore more effort—than jumping headlong into a situation or doing something just for the sake of doing something.

Trusting God doesn’t mean we stop making efforts on our own, however. In fact, trusting God might give us confidence to do something we had been afraid to do before. It releases us to respond to Him and to others.

Because He is God, He uses every effort we make, the good and even the not-so-good. Trusting Him acknowledges that the final outcome doesn’t rest with us and it accepts His judgment as superior to our own. The psalmist said, Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass . . . The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down. (Ps. 37:5,23,24a KJV)

Wait on the Lord . . . the Lord shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Pa. 37:34a,40 KJV)

Originally published January 3, 1992

Picture: Sconce with red berries, 2008. Photo by Solveig