Thursday, December 01, 2005

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

(Excuse me while I preach to myself briefly. I'm struggling with this and I know I need to hear it. You can listen in if you like.)


"God chose these men and refined them through the crucible of time to prepare them for their tasks. ...God intends for the time we spend awaiting further enlightenment and fuller harvest to bulge with relationship."**

Abraham waited 25 years from the time God promised he would be the father of nations, to the time his son Isaac was finally born.

Joseph waited two years in prison until those he had helped remembered his dream-interpretation skills and brought him before Pharaoh.

Moses waited 40 years in the desert--keep in mind this was before he wandered with the Israelites for another 40 years--this was 40 years between when he killed an Egyptian and when God spoke to him in a burning bush, calling him back to Egypt.

Hannah waited years for God to answer her plea for a child.

David waited 15 years from the time the prophet Samuel anointed him as the Lord's chosen king until the time Saul died and he actually became king.

God's chosen people waited 400 years in silence from the time of the last prophet until God spoke again with the Word made flesh.

Jesus waited 30 years to begin His public ministry.

The disciples waited three long, dark days to see their Redeemer rise from the dead.

John waited years, even decades between the time he was prominent in the early church in Acts and the time he received inspiration from God to write his gospel and epistles and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. "John served in biblical obscurity for much longer than the other apostles served, period."** Peter and Paul had highly visible ministries. His fellow disciples were martyred one by one. Still he waited.

"In spite of others seeming more powerfully used by God and in the midst of decades hidden in the shadows, John remained faithful to his task. ...You have not been forgotten! You have no idea what may lie ahead! God spent this time testing and proving John's character so that he could be trusted with the greatest revelation. The answers God gives us in our tomorrows often flow from our faithful todays."**

"If I am never greatly used by God in a way that I deem significant, can I still believe that I am loved like the apple of His eye? ...[John] knew two things...He knew that he was called to be a disciple. And he knew that he was loved."**

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14).

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hands... (Psalm 31:14-15).

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him...Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land... (Psalm 37:7,34)

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God (Psalm 38:15).


(**Quotes from Beth Moore, Beloved Disciple, LifeWay, 2002.)

6 comments:

Kelly said...

Amy...
God truly seems to be using you right and left to speak to my heart. I can't count the number of times that something you've written in your blog is something I've needed to hear THAT DAY!.

It's been amazing...

Today's post is no different.

Even though we don't get to have our weekly lunches like we did back in school, you still "sharpen" me.

I'm so thankful for your friendship!!! I'm blessed to have you in my life!

Jules said...

Doesn't it seem like we are ALWAYS waiting for SOMETHING? Often it's what we do in the midst of our waiting that shows our true faith.

My Bible study this week was about "the waiting room." I'll have to share some highlights with you when I have my book in front of me.

PS. I talked about you in Bible study :-)

rebekah said...

amy, i am smiling (and hurting) to read this entry on waiting. there is a situation that has grown and grown, and i feel right at the edge of -- something or nothing -- and i want to know which. i want to take action, and i am not sure if God wants me to stay low. thanks. i want to say -- wait! i'll wait! but it has been a daily (no moment by moment) struggle to wait in that day or in that moment.

Beau and Kathryn said...

Amy Kannel,

That is some of the most powerful writing I've seen from you, at least it is to me. Thank you for writing that. God spoke to me through it. And it helped to show me that in the midst of whatever is going on my life the Word is always relevant to it and will give me the answers I need. Love you!

K

Amy said...

Kathryn--funny that this is my "most powerful writing"...when virtually none of it is mine. The entire post consists mainly of me quoting Beth Moore and summarizing Bible passages.

Perhaps there's something to learn from that: that God can use me best when I get out of the way :)

Anyway, to Katbird and to all of you...I'm so thankful that God has worked through what He's teaching me to bless you as well. much love!

Kristie said...

Hi, just found your blog via Bob Kauflin's. Welcome to Tennesse (from a local and oddly enough, wife of a Fort Wayne boy.) I've enjoyed perusing your posts and seeing your desire to glorify God.