Joshua passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant by Benjamin West (1800)
Patience is a hallmark of Christianity. Throughout history, faithful Christians have imitated the Lord’s patient character. You’ve likely heard the humorous saying, “Be careful when you ask God for patience because He will send you an opportunity to be patient… with someone who drives you crazy!” Even more likely, He will answer with a period of waiting.
Waiting stinks. No one likes waiting in lines or traffic or for your spouse to get everything together so we can finally leave the house! *Disclaimer: I am allowed to say this because I am the Slow Spouse!*
Scripture is filled with examples of God’s people waiting on His promises. Abraham waited for a Promised Son, Israel for the Promised Land, and David for the Promised Kingdom. These people endured significant trials while waiting.
Our faith is a waiting faith. In fact, we are all currently waiting for Jesus’s second coming! Waiting, therefore, is the seed that grows into the Spirit-fruit of patient character. If patience is a muscle, then waiting is the dumbbell!
I have often wrestled with when I am supposed to wait for God and when I am to act in faith. This is a question I’ve been pondering as my wife and I seek God’s guidance on where we are going to live and host a house church. The Lord has impressed upon my heart the promises of His Word in Psalm 68:10 (“God provides homes for the deserted”) and Psalm 25:3 (“No one who waits for the Lord will be disgraced”).
I believe the key to discerning whether to wait or act lies in God’s Spoken Word. Biblical figures received promises from God and then waited for their fulfillment. Joshua, for example, was commanded by the Lord to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God promised him victory and possession of the land. However, before crossing the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites had to wait and consecrate themselves, which is a holy preparation. This waiting period tested their faith and deepened their reliance on God’s leadership.
In between the promise and the provision is always necessary preparation! In the waiting, God tests our Faith Quotient (FQ), which is simply the measurement of how much one trusts in the Lord! FQ measures your confidence in what God has spoken and reliance on Him for divine fulfillment regardless of the circumstance or if you can’t see or feel him. Isn’t that how the Author of Hebrews defines faith? “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” (Hebrews 11)
I once asked Pastor John Randall of Calvary South OC, “How do you know when you are supposed to wait and when you’re supposed to take a leap of faith?” He referenced Joshua 3, where the Israelites waited at the Jordan River. When the time was right, God commanded them to step into the river with the Ark of the Covenant, the very presence of the God of Israel. As soon as the priests put their feet in the rushing rapids, the river miraculously parted, allowing them to cross into the Promised Land on dry ground.
We don’t need to wait on God for every decision, such as what to eat or wear. However, when we travel through unfamiliar territory and when God has spoken a specific word or given a promise, a waiting period often follows. This waiting is a spiritual discipline that strengthens our faith and reliance on God. But we must remember that seasons of waiting are seasons of preparation and consecration, and when God says, “Cross Now!” will you be ready to put your feet in the water? Are you ready to witness the Lord’s wonder-working power?
As you reflect on your life, think about what the Lord has spoken to you. What have you been waiting for? I would love to hear your response so I can pray with you!
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“This waiting is a spiritual discipline that strengthens our faith and reliance on God.” Amen!!