01/25/2024
This morning as I read my daily devotion, I was struck by what E.M. Bounds wrote regarding waiting on God to answer our prayers. Bounds referred to this as a test, but I couldn't agree with his conclusion that God would use waiting for an answer to prayer to test us. No, I believe it allows us to see, and realize, the strength in our own maturing faith. When we are made to wait it shows us how much we have increased in our ability to demonstrate patience, trust, hope, and confidence in God. For some of us we see progress in our faith right away, but for others it takes a great deal of time to fully develop these traits.
“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:7 CSB
As I thought and studied on this subject, I remembered something that I wrote years ago. In those days, when my grandchildren were quite young, they would occasionally spend the night with us and when they awoke in the morning I would ask them what they wanted for breakfast. I gave them several choices such as pancakes, French toast, eggs, muffins, and the like, then, when they had made a decision, I would begin preparing what they have asked for. While I was cooking they would often grow tired of waiting and ask me how much longer before the meal would be ready; "I am hungry Andad" they would say.
Our prayers are answered in much the same way... As God prepares to give us our desires we keep asking Him "How long Lord?". Then when all is ready He takes pleasure in our satisfaction. The waiting heightens our joy in receiving and it teaches us patience.
“Listen to my words, Lord; consider my sighing. Pay attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for I pray to you. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.”
Psalm 5:1-3 CSB
The answer to some of our prayers comes right away while others take time, but each suits our needs perfectly and God's will for us to the Tee. Sometimes the waiting is truly the best part of the endeavor, and makes the answered prayer that much sweeter to our taste.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing and answering us when we reach out to you in prayer. Open our hearts and minds Lord so that as we wait patiently on your answer, we will grow strong in patience and faith. Guard us against the ploys of the dark one as he tries to convince us that by waiting on you we are being mistreated, tempted, and tested by you. Send your angels to strengthen us as we stand against such thoughts Father, and open our ears to the voice of your Holy Spirit as he gives us remembrance of your Word, and an unwavering trust in it. Use the time we wait patiently on you to bolster us in righteousness, faith, holiness, and the gifts of the Spirit. We praise you for the quick answers to our prayers Lord, but we lean more on you, and into your peace and goodness as we wait on those things that are long in coming. You are our defender, provider, and strong tower of refuge against this fallen world, and we fret not as we wait on you, and repeatedly tell Satan to get behind us when he tempts us with his lies, half-truths, and many deceitful ways. Let us walk close behind you always Father, and we ask that you listen for our footsteps as we follow you, and Jesus, towards perfection and eternity. In prayer it might occasionally be that we must wait, but even as we wait, you never abandon us, and are with us always. Praised be your name for all eternity Father, and may all the glory in our unceasing prayer be yours forevermore.
Rich Forbes