Are you a patient person? Or do you fidget while waiting your turn, anxious for your needs to be met as soon as you realize them? What does true patience look like, lived out? There are great examples in the Bible of people of great faith who waited on the Lord.
The Bible is full of reminders of God’s faithfulness to His people. Over and over, impossible situations unfold for the children of Israel and the Lord steps in and saves them in a mighty way, unexpected way.
God told the Israelites never to forget what he had done for them. They were to remember the Passover, when He saved all their firstborn sons. They were to remember crossing the Red Sea on DRY GROUND. They were to remember the provision of manna, His faithful daily provision of their need for food.
Generations who followed remembered what they heard and learned of God’s faithfulness because of the frequent recounting of the events.
For Ruth, a Midianite widow, stories of the God of Israel gave her faith, eventually moving her to abandon her homeland with her mother in law to follow the God of Abraham. David knew the stories of God’s faithfulness and from them he drew the courage to stand against an enemy of the Lord that caused others shrink away in fear. Esther was taught the history of God’s provision for His people, and when in a position of influence, worked cleverly to save the nation of Israel. Mary knew the scriptures so well that when the angel Gabriel informed her that she would bear the Messiah, she submitted to the news, even in the face of potential shame. For each of these, waiting on the Lord, then taking action at the right time, was dependent on knowing the character of God.
Waiting patiently takes practice. Often it means putting the needs of another ahead of our own. It also requires looking at God’s provision for us. Sometimes a delay can be protection from unseen danger. Our family has had more than one occasion when an automobile incident shielded us from greater danger down the road. It’s not often we’re given that insight, and certainly not always in the moment. But, that doesn’t change the truth that God is faithful and there are many stories in the Bible to remind us of this.
Remembering God’s steadfast faithfulness to Ruth, David, Esther and Mary(and the others) should strengthen our faith. Sharing our stories of God’s faithfulness in our own lives strengthens those around us. God’s faithfulness isn’t about the past. It’s very much in the present now and we can count on it in the future.
Wait for the Lord. He will hear and soon, you will be singing songs of praise for his work in your life.
Barb Fackler
2/22/2022