Waiting on God’s timing for our promises is probably one of the most difficult acts of obedience we can do. And it’s not about simply waiting. It’s about working, praying and believing by faith for those promises while we wait. During our season of waiting, it becomes tempting to take on lesser promises that we can control and achieve right away. Being a “prisoner of hope” can become wearisome, and we may want to give up on waiting (Zechariah 9:12).
Carrying the weight of hope for years or even decades can lead to disillusionment and discouragement. However, we can renew our hope by remembering experiences where God was faithful. We can remind ourselves of previous promises God fulfilled and pour our faith from those moments into hope for new promises. Also, we can listen to stories of God accomplishing promises for others. As we listen to their stories of waiting and believing by faith, our faith will be renewed.
God understands that our long wait for His promises can cause our hearts to ache (Proverbs 13.12). We get our hopes up, thinking now is the time, only to be let down by our expectations. We must not allow ourselves to get caught in the cycle of trying to earn our promises. This self-condemning process of focusing on our flaws and trying to be perfect will only lay out a platform for the enemy to attack us. God has a set time for everything. Yes, He is developing our character, so we can steward His promises well. However, we will never deserve His promises. He gives them freely to us because He loves us and wants us to succeed (Jeremiah 29.11).
God is outside of time. A thousand years to us feels like one day to Him (2 Peter 3.8). We wait on our promises because God wants to make the biggest impact on heaven and earth with them. His timing is never early or late. He loves His children and wants all of us to come to Him through His beloved Son, Jesus. He has the perfect moment planned for the fruition of our promises that will enable our promises to reach more people with His grace and love.
We can find joy in the waiting by keeping our focus on His blessings each day. God blesses us with people, resources and situations that we didn’t ask for. We can sometimes take for granted those things He gives us freely and easily. However, we should take moments from each day to refresh our gratitude for all God has given us. Staying centered on today will prevent us from destructive disappointments that constant future-centered thoughts can cause. We must claim peace and joy in the wait, thanking God that His Promises are “yes” and “amen” in Christ. We can enjoy each day while we work expectantly by faith towards those promises that He has for us. We may not be able to see them yet, but since they are part of God’s Kingdom Plan, they are on earth as they are in heaven (Matthew 6.10).
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2.3 NLT).
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