5-19-2019

  Good Morning All,

    Psalm 31:24; “Be strong, all who wait with hope for the Lord, and let your heart be courageous."

    Think of some of the phrases that we hear that drive us crazy.  Some of mine are “I’ll get right on it.” Or “I’ll do it when I get time.”  Or “We’ll be with you with the next available operator.”  Or “You’re next on the list!”  Or “We’ll be back in 15 minutes!”  All these phrases can test on patience; they test our ability to wait.      

    We don’t wait very well.  Your computer downloads are too slow, the microwave is too slow.  The big box store needs more express checkout lines.  Everything we deal with needs to get done quicker and quicker.  Waiting is not something we do very well.  If it isn’t a fast food restaurant it has to be fast dining; whatever that is? 

    We thrive on instant access to everything.  Do you want to know the temperature in a dozen different cities around the world? You can find out in an instance.  Do you want to find out about a favorite star or athlete?  You can do it in an instance.  You can order clothes to be delivered in a couple of days.  We desire speed; we want it NOW! 

    That part of our nature, the part that doesn’t like to wait, is one part that causes us to struggle in our faith life.  God’s time is not always our time.  God’s ways are not the same as our ways.  So, when we see or experience an event; we want an answer and we want it now.  Our prayer is often “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now!”  So, when I want an answer; I expect God to deliver.

     This is part of why God tells us to wait for the Lord.  To “wait” means to trust that God will deliver on his promises.  We are expectant of something wonderful happening.  Just like the expectant mother wants joyful for the birth of her child, so we wait for the Lord.  We need to trust in God’s grace and mercy for we can take heart, we can find our confidence in that God will keep his promises.  God has kept all his promises so far and is faithful to keep them all tomorrow and forever.

    So, you and I need to learn about being patient and about waiting for God.  If we look at Scriptures, we see a lot of waiting.  Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born.  Jacob and Rebekah waited 40 years after they were married for their sons to be born.  Moses waited 40 years for the Lord to call him back.  David waited 15 years after being anointed as the next king to be the next king.  How long will you wait?  How long will you and I wait for God to answer our prayers?  It is a hard question to answer but one which we need to strive for; one we need to ask God to lead us and guide us as we go forward.  Patience results in humbly trusting God.  It is as Paul wrote endurance (patience) produces character and character produces hope and hope never fails.

Dear Father, our patience is weak and we do not like to wait.  Mold us into the disciple who waits, who is patient and trusting.  Mold us into the disciple who knows only faith in you.  Give strength and courage to your people.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret