Sunday

When God is Late

I don't wait well.

I chafe in the grocery line. I fidget at the bank. I carry a book with me at all times, lest I waste a single moment in inactivity. I wipe down the cabinet doors while waiting for the kitchen sink to fill up--until the sound of water hitting the floor ushers me into a third task--mopping up the overflow. All because I won't stand patiently at the sink for two minutes of inactivity.

Suffice it to say that the world doesn't move fast enough for me. Nor does my husband. Or the mailman. Or the dog.

Or God.

There, I've said it. True confession time. Sometimes I even get impatient with God.

Ever feel this way?

We pray, and pray, and pray. We pray for good things--healing, spiritual growth, salvation for a loved one, restoration of a marriage, financial provision, a breakthrough in a relationship. And nothing happens. "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,"  seems to fly in the face of our urgent, impatient prayers.

Is God asleep? Does he care? Does it do any good to pray? Is God ever late? Slack? Slow?

No. Yes. Yes. No. No. No.

No, he's not asleep: "He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4).

Yes, he cares: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

Yes, it helps to pray: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:19).

No, God is never late: "the LORD says: 'In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you,'" (Isaiah 49:8).

No, God is not slack: "The Lord is not slack in keeping his promise, as some understand slackness," (1 Peter 3:9).

No, God is not slow: "the Lord will hasten it in its timing" (Isaiah 60:22).


If you, like me, sometimes struggle with the Lord's timing, will you join me in resting and trusting?  In the fullness of time, God will hurry to accomplish his perfect will.

And we can rest in this.















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10 comments:

  1. "and we can rest in that." Indeed, this is the bottom line! Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lori,
    I found you after you visited my blog, Let's Get Crafty! I'm so happy that I found your blog...so right, refreshing, and insightful!

    Thanks for sharing God's heart! I also wanted to make sure you knew about my ministry, Women Stand Up! International (www.womenstandup.net) and my husband's ministry called BraveHearts (www.bravehearts.net).

    If we can serve your community please let us know!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amen, Amen, Amen! I am not patient, I want things now and the Lord has been really testing this patience! In just a few days, some things are going to happen were only God can step in and make it work. Its so hard to wait. I already want this over with and it has only begun. I have been at the end of my patience (or so I thought) long ago but the Lord continues to "stall".

    If I could just get this fact from my head in my heart.

    Your new follower,
    Iris♥

    The Blue Birdhouse

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am not a wait-er! I'm continually asking God to help me rest my mind in Him. I love the scriptures you chose... they're so helpful! Thank you for the great post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for this reminder, Lori!

    With our fast-paced lifestyle these days,
    it's sometimes so hard to wait.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very encouraging Lori! Thank you for sharing these Scriptures, such a help in life's waiting rooms.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm like you--can't stand to wait, carry a book with me. If I don't have a book, there's always FB and Twitter. :)

    Seriously though, waiting on God is difficult for me too. Thanks for sharing with WIP!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I try to repeat a little mantra in my head when I find myself getting impatient with God, or wondering why things can't go the way I want, right now :)
    "In God's time, not my time." It doesn't always help, but it's a good little reminder for me :)
    Paula

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are so funny; or is it because you are like me?!! I was boiling some water for tea and couldn't wait. While waiting, I ran downstairs to swap the laundry. I forgot I was boiling water!! My daughter poured it into my cup and I drank lukewarm tea, lol!!

    What I liked best is how you tied your impatience into all the ways God cares, etc. and gave Bible verses to substantiate His promises.

    Thank you so much for linking up this week at WholeHearted Home.

    I will be thinking and praying for you as you speak.

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh yeah....can I ever relate. Waiting....patience...trying to stay calm and trust.....love this post. Needed it too.

    ReplyDelete

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