Good Things Come to those Who Wait

At Jinja SS we are studying through 2 Samuel and in the first few chapters it's really just one big waiting game. You feel bad for David... he was young and got the promise "you are going to shepherd My people", then after years of running for his life and living behind enemy lines it finally seems like he's going to receive the promise God gave him... but oh wait, nope! He still has to wait 7 1/2 more years for it to reach 100% fruition. The waiting game is tough stuff but for the most part ol'e Davie boy hangs in there and even gets upset when others try to help get things going.

David had his shortfalls but for the most part he sets us an awesome example of what it means to be a man (or woman) after God's own heart. Being able to wait upon the Lord is a mark of maturity in our walks with God... if you can't wait for His perfect timing and will it simply shows a lack of faith. I'm saying this basically from a point of a long line of prayer requests that maybe didn't get answered right away and just seem to be on "pending" at the moment. It's funny when you teach because 12/10 (yes, I did that on purpose) times God is teaching you more than He's teaching those you're teaching.

I'm dealing with students who are facing HUGE struggles in their lives, struggles that I can't even fathom. They are having to wait on God not just for a "want" but to see their needs met. It's hard when you know His promises and you want to trust but you just don't see them being answered. That was David's exact situation. That's where I LOVE that "ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful to teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training..." If only we would be in His word and read about real people who had to deal with real problems and how God's faithfulness held strong even when it didn't look like it, I feel like we would have a lot easier time in life. You hear the old cliche that God keeps you from something "good" because what He has in store for you is "great". We only see with our small finite human vision and minds, God sees with eternity in mind. It's the waiting that makes us stronger, it's the waiting that builds character and faith. If David hadn't had to wait all that time he maybe would have been a good king, but the waiting made him a great king. Waiting is what rids us of pride and brings us to points of brokenness and surrender and that's exactly what God wants for us.

I realize that my students and I are not the only ones maybe struggling with this... maybe you're waiting for God for a new job, a spouse, a new ministry opportunity, or a menagerie of other desires of our heart and you're praying and praying and yet...nothing. Take heart friend, He's good, He's in control, and He doesn't just see the short-term, but has your long term interest and His glory in mind as He brings things about in your life.

"Even youths grow tired and weary,
And young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint."

- Isaiah 40:30-31