God's Perfect Timing

"Just wait a minute."

"I'm tired of waiting."

"Be patient!"

"How much longer do I have to wait?"

For you moms, "I can't wait for this baby to come!"

"I can't wait for this _______ to be over."

"Why doesn't God do anything about _______ now?"

Any of these phrases sound familiar to you? Waiting is hard. It's hard for adults and its hard for children. This time of year, waiting is especially hard as many children anticipate the gifts they'll be receiving.

According to online dictionaries, to wait means to remain inactive until something expected happens, to look forward to eagerly; to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.

I don't think waiting has ever been easy, but in our "microwave" society, it has become increasingly harder. Society has programmed us to want things immediately; to want it done, and want it now.  "Why wait when you can have it now," seems to be the motto for many in this day and age. Yet in this day and age of instant gratification, I find there are often times when God tells me to wait.

Have you ever noticed how much more special or precious something is when you wait so long for it and it finally comes or finally happens? I have noticed in my life that I become more appreciative of the things I have to wait patiently for and they become more special to me. I have also noticed when I try to rush something, I miss out on blessings God could have brought along the way if I'd have been more patient.

God is not bound by time as we are, and that is one of the hardest things for my mind to grasp. I am so constrained by time in one way or another, it's hard to understand how there can be no "time" in God's eyes. What seems to be an "eternity" to me is probably only a snap of a finger to God. He certainly has a lot more patience than I can even comprehend.

2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter is writing in reference to the coming of the Lord.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Waiting is mentioned several times in the Bible. I won't list all the verses because you would stop reading before I even started, but I will list some of my favorites.

One of my favorite verses is found in Isaiah 40:31. I think it is so special to me because every time I read it or hear it, I remember by grandmother. My grandma struggled with MS for years. As time went on, she became bed ridden, and I remember her always talking about this verse and how she longed for the day when she would be with the Lord and she would be able to walk and run again.

I love reading through the book of Habakkuk. It is a short book, and worth reading. Habakkuk is struggling to understand why God is allowing the suffering and destruction that is occurring. Habakkuk shares his wrestling with God and how he questions God and His reasons. God responds to him that even though He is allowing Judah to be destroyed as a consequence for their turning away from Him, the nation that is destroying them will be punished. As Judah is being destroyed around him, he eventually comes to realize the precious blessing of experiencing God that accompanies faith and waiting.

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones , and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:16 - 19

Isaiah 30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 37:7, 10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes...A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Isaiah 64:4

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. 

Waiting can be so difficult to do, yet the blessings that accompany it and the opportunity to experience God can be so precious if I am patient enough. I don't want to miss out on those blessings God sends when I wait patiently on Him.

As the song, While I'm Waiting, states, I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord, and I am hopeful. I'm waiting on You Lord though it is painful, but patiently, I will wait.

As I was looking around online, I came across a song by a man named Jamie Brown, who wrote it as an addition to the song Everlasting God. The words are written in the form of a letter from God. It is such a beautiful reminder of God's presence in my life even when it seems He's silent.

I am the God who formed the earth. I am the One who gave you life. I knew you long before your birth and I have never left your side.

I know your doubts, I know your fears. I know you're weary from all the years. You've waited for an answer. You've prayed with all your heart. You've wondered if I hear you. You've stared into the dark.

I am the everlasting God. I am your Father. I've redeemed you through my Son. He bore your burden. He knew your pain. He intercedes for you. He prays for you by name.

And I will do what's best for you, my love. I will work my perfect will, and I will lift you up. I am always faithful and I am always good. You don't always see it but it is always true.

Don't listen to the lies the Devil says. He is the accuser and I have conquered him. You are my beloved and I am in control. You can't always see it but I am on the throne.

One day you will see that I have worked all things for my glory and all things for your good. One day you will see me as I am, your everlasting Father, and your never failing friend.

And I know you don't always understand, but I give you a promise: your Father has a plan. Jesus gives you access. The Spirit gives you strength. I love you and I'm with you and will hold you while you wait.   

I love that last line; what a beautiful visual it creates, "I love you and I'm with you and will hold you while you wait."

"God has perfect timing, never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith, but it's worth the wait!" I can rest in His arms while I'm waiting, knowing that He never leaves my side and He will provide what I need in His perfect timing.