Journey of the Word

Some things never change. In a fast-paced world, we still find ourselves waiting.

Waiting produces impatience. And impatience, frustration. And frustration, anger. And yes, it’s disappointing.

We simply don’t want to wait for anything, and we often allow this restlessness to lead down a path of sin.

After a 45-minute wait on a holiday, where the line made a complete circle and a lady’s poor grandkids were expressing what we were all feeling, my friend and I started wondering. Could waiting be a good thing? When does God say, “Wait”?

Sure, there are many Old Testament examples of those who waited for God. David expresses this often in the Psalms.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” Ps 40:1

A look into the New Testament reveals many references to waiting. It’s interesting that most of them address this one particular thing that we, as believers in the present age, are waiting for.

A few thought-provoking illustrations.

Wait for the Lord’s return with readiness.

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”
Luke 12:35-36

When I’m expecting a package or a visitor, I sometimes wait at the door. Look through the peephole. Pace back and forth. Check the peephole again.

Does my life reflect that kind of waiting for the coming of the Lord?

Wait for your adoption with longing.

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Rom 8:19)

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (8:23)

“. . . if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (8:25)

The kind of longing that an orphan has for a father. For love. For rescue.

Do I groan inwardly, waiting with deep longing for the day of revelation and redemption?

Wait for the coming of the Lord with patience.

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8

Some things don’t happen fast-food-style. A farmer knows this. An expectant mother knows this. A believer stuck in a fallen world knows this. It’s called hoping for something you can’t see (Rom 8:25). Patience required.

As I wait for the coming of the Lord, do I watch for it patiently?

Readiness. Longing. Patience.

Not always the best description for how I spend my moments in traffic or in the waiting room.

His coming. Your redemption.

Something worth waiting for.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and wordly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:11-14