Think of a time when it was easy to wait for God's promises to unfold. I assume that this task is a difficult one. The reality of waiting seasons is that, more than likely, they are never easy. This is because our waiting seasons are tests that God allows us to enter into so that He can teach us several lessons:
One lesson centers on revealing His faithfulness. Another lesson revolves around us and our response to what He's doing.
The first lesson is one that allows His children to witness the character of God. The Lord speaks several promises over us as believers such as a life to prosper us and not to harm us, or that our entire household will be saved, or that He would provide for all our needs. However sometimes life circumstances appear opposite to what God says in His word. It is in these seasons that we must choose to focus on God's faithfulness that is revealed in His word. God gave Sarah a child in her old age. He also brought the Israelites out of Egypt and gave them the Promise Land after forty years of wandering. God was faithful to raise Christ from the dead. He was faithful to send the Holy Spirit onto His people, as He continues to do so today. Through Christ, He made Abraham the Father of many.
We read many of stories of God's faithfulness, but it is in our own seasons of waiting when we find out for ourselves: Is God truly loving? Is God really faithful?
But the next step to God's process of continually transforming us through the renewing of our minds, is that He will continue to bring us into waiting seasons even after we've seen evidence of His faithfulness in our lives.
That is when we are brought into the test of how we will choose to respond in the waiting. We have seen God's faithfulness, so will we choose to have peace even when circumstance screams the opposite of God's promises? Will we praise Him as though the victory is already won?
Many popular worship songs out today resonate with these ideas and serve as a reminder of how we should respond in these difficult seasons:
"Walking around these walls, I thought by now they'd fall. But you have never failed me yet."
-Do It Again, Elevation Worship
Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His Words lead you on
Do not forget His great faithfulness
He'll finish all He's begun.
-Take Courage, Kristene DiMarco
"But You have never failed me yet," becomes the prayer that says, "I have seen you move, and I know you will do it again."
The song Take Courage speaks of what our response should be in our wilderness seasons where we believe for something we do not see: Praise.
Find strength in joy, in the midst of waiting. Speak His promises over our lives and follow Him even when we cannot see. Never forget His faithfulness which is true, and has never failed.
_____
What promise has God spoken over your life that you are still waiting for?
Be encouraged in your waiting season because God is not finished with you yet. Rather, He is either trying to reveal His character to you, or is taking you into the next level of exercising your faith in His faithfulness. Sing praises of thankfulness, because He is already at the end of your waiting season, waiting to give to you the promise you are believing Him for. Thank Him even before you see it, and trust that the process you are going through in the waiting prepares you to receive what He has for you. All for His glory.
About The Author: Sarah Michelle Cruz
Sarah Michelle Cruz is a Whitworth University graduate and studied psychology and English Writing. Her heart beats for creating music and telling stories, while giving a voice to the voiceless. She currently serves with The Collide team and is completing her first fantasy novel and while also studying to be in full-time ministry. She has a call to missions and has been to Hong Kong, Colombia, Brazil, and the Philippines to serve and is currently preparing for Africa. She lives for the prayer, "Here I am, Lord, Send Me..." whether that is here or abroad, she will follow His call.