Are you reading the Bible through with me? Grab your pen and journal, and get ready to write your thoughts as you journey through the Bible.
Read Numbers 7-9. Check out 9:15-23. The cloud represented the presence of Yahweh. When the cloud moved, the people moved. Otherwise, they…waited. They waited on God. Why do you think it’s so difficult to wait for God to speak or work?
Waiting is not a word we like nowadays. We don’t like lines, we want our food fast, and it drives us crazy when our TV, computer or cell phone scrolls and scrolls. Waiting to see a doctor, waiting for news, waiting for a phone call, waiting for service. Waiting, waiting, waiting. We hate it.
But what if God has a purpose for our waiting? While the Isrealites were waiting for God, as the cloud, to move, He was busy preparing their way into the Promised Land. It took time to get things ready. Had the people not waited, they may not have survived.
A dear friend was aggravated. Her new refrigerator’s icemaker just wouldn’t work. Repairmen came and went, to no avail. The icemaker had a defect. So the company sent her a replacement refrigerator telling her to just keep the other one. Meanwhile, a family across town was worried. They needed a new refrigerator but knew they couldn’t afford one. The old one was still running, but was on borrowed time. With prayer, the family decided to wait on the Lord. And He got busy. Through an unplanned text message, the lady connected with the family who needed the refrigerator and didn’t want an icemaker. It was delivered to the family home, and astoundingly, the movers noticed that the very old refrigerator was leaking freon. It would have died in a matter of days, ruining frozen food. While everyone concerned in this wonderful event was “waiting”, God was right on time.
In your journal, write how can you strengthen your resolve to “wait upon the Lord?”
Write this wise saying in your journal to reflect on periodically. "Teach us, O Lord, the discipline of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work." – Peter Marshall. Also, write the verses from Isaiah 40:30-33 in your journal as a reminder.
Pray: Teach me, O Lord, the discipline of patience. Remind me often that You are never late. Your timing is always with purpose to fulfill Your plan. Part of that plan is always to shape me more into the image of the Lord Jesus. Help me to be a better listener, not only to others, but to You. And help me to rest in You when waiting is part of Your plan.
