It is in the course of our feeble and very imperfect waiting that God himself, by his hidden power, strengthens us and works out in us the patience of the great saints, the patience of Christ himself. ~Andrew Murray
We are still waiting for the promise and we don’t know why.
We gaze into the future, afraid to blink, willing for the time of longing to end. We throw our hearts like stones into the distance, but we bring the distance no closer, and only make our own hearts hurt.
Once in a while we are given a glimmer of hope. But then hopes are dashed again, the promise fades away, as if shy. Why do dreams so often linger just out of reach?
Stories of Promise
The first chill of Autumn draws them close, hands stretched to the fire, children nestled beneath the folds of maternal robes. A silence falls as the storyteller chooses his spot, the broad sweep of stars his only spotlight.
The characters are familiar, the plots, like smooth stones. Should he leave out a word, or a syllable’s inflection, startled eyes will remind him. They know these stories like they know every freckle on their hard-worked hands.
His voice deepens, this will be a tale he wants imprinted on their hearts. Something important about God. Something they must hold tight to in their memories when the waiting is long, and the promise seems lost. When their tight-throated days end in restless slumber, when all the evidence shouts, “God has forgotten!”
Ah, tonight it will be Sarai and Hagar’s story we will hear.
Sarai’s bitter words resonate with their own, “You see, God has prevented the very promise he made. Barren, empty, dried-of-all-hope is my new name. If there is to be a child of the promise, it won’t be from this body. I refuse to wait any longer for my own blessing. There is another way and I will take it.”
Around the fire, they sigh. They know how things will turn out, when God’s people take matters into their own hands. God will once again clean up the mess, though lives will be left limping. One more time he will remind them,
Waiting is not wasting. Don’t rush ahead of the promise. Trust me–watch what I will do.
Our Stories
Thousands of years later, we sigh too. Some of us live in the autumn of early spring’s promise, and God is taking his time.
He is taking his time, re-shaping our wills, saving us one promise at a time.
Are you ever tempted to take matters into your own hands?
(Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16)
10 replies on “Rushing Ahead of The Promise”
I have rebelled in full disobedience and taken matters into my own hands. Leaving a trail of destruction and a bounty of ashes of regretful failure.
When the waiting is long and the promise seems lost .. May He strengthen my fragile faith and be mighty in my weakness .. May I long to be patient in obedience and die to my self imposed timeline .. Resting fully in The Lord’s faithful love and His perfect timing .. May my hope remain fully in The Lord knowing I am His!
Those “self-imposed deadlines” do trip us up! Blessings, Ginny.
Preached on this once. Love “the autumn of late spring’s promise.” Lovely and evocative.
Thanks, Robert!
Ah, Janet – I know this one well! Sadly there have been many times in my life when waiting has seemed like wasting. Just this week, I asked God “How much longer?” His timing has often been a challenge for me – especially when the bills stack up and the money flowing in is a trickle.
And then, in an instant, He comes through again. I experienced that yesterday. He provided for us in a stunning way. And I am floored. Silenced. In awe.
Today, it’s back to waiting – but my heart is more encouraged. I pray that your heart would be encouraged in your waiting, too, Janet.
Your sister in waiting,
Linda
Linda, I rejoice with you for yesterday, and wait again with you today. Thank you!
I am not good at waiting… I tend to rush forward and try to manipulate my way to the “end” that seems fitting for me. Oh, to wait expectantly and lean into Him. That’s my prayer.
Mine too, Mary Beth. Lean well today, my friend.
Ahh, waiting. But the joy in the long awaited fullfilled promise. Thank you, Lord. But there always seems to be a waiting time. One promise fulfilled and another time of waiting. Now waiting on God to give me direction in my retirement. Now have the time to spend with Him and rest. Joy comes in the morning!
The first time I read through the OT I decided one overarching theme was “They waited.” Maybe it’s the theme for all of life! Thanks, Sylvie. And congratulations on your retirement!