“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 31:24 ESV
400 years. That’s how long the Israelites waited for God to deliver them from slavery. But after they left Egypt, God didn’t take them directly to their promised land.
Instead, they camped out at the base of a mountain while God instructed Moses. During that time, God’s glory rested on the mountain.
But after 40 days, the Israelites grew frustrated by the delay…so they rejected God and pursued whatever pleased them.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by an uncertain season that lasts longer than you anticipated, you’re not alone.
Waiting can lead to disappointment and frustration. In those moments, we can become so focused on our circumstances that we forget God is still in control. If God’s in control, we might ask, then where is He? Why hasn’t anything changed?
Here are three truths to remember:
1 *Waiting reveals what you worship.
When the Israelites’ plans were delayed, they pursued instant gratification because that’s what they actually valued.
When you find yourself dissatisfied with your situation, what do you turn to? What you focus on reveals what you value, and what you value determines what you worship.
2 *Waiting is never wasted.
God wasn’t withholding His promise from the Israelites—He was preparing them for it. God’s timeline is different than ours, but your waiting might actually be preparing you for the plans and purposes God has for you.
3 *Waiting helps us focus on God’s faithfulness.
God’s faithfulness hasn’t changed. The God who patiently protected and provided for the Israelites also conquered death so that you could experience eternal life.
If you find yourself growing weary from waiting, look up and look back. Look for evidence of God’s presence, and look back on what He’s done for you. This will help you hold onto hope.
Hoping in God is never wasted because the One who conquered death is still in control, and He’s always at work in your waiting.
