What are you waiting on God for? A husband? A home? A job? Whatever it is, waiting is difficult! We are a people who live in a culture of “right now”. Delay tends to make us feel uncomfortable. However, we serve a good father. God uses everything including the waiting season for our benefit and His glory.
Waiting on the Lord is nothing new. So many people in the Bible had their patience tested as they waited on Him to deliver them or fulfill a promise. I find myself particularly inspired by the Bible’s waiting women.
What do these women’s stories show us about the Lord? How can we use their mistakes and victories to be successful in our waiting seasons?
1. Sarah’s Story
Sarah longed to be a mom and went years without getting pregnant. I’m sure she felt discouraged and exhausted. God even promised her husband, Abraham, that they would have many descendants. Yet, there was no sign of the promise manifesting in real life. Sarah had enough and got tired of waiting, so she decided to take control and convinced her servant, Hagar, to sleep with her husband. This way she could finally have her baby and end the waiting. It seemed to be a smart ploy at first, however, her plan backfired and only led to hurt and confusion from all parties.
Sarah ended up waiting until she was ninety years old before God fulfilled his promise to her. She gave birth to Isaac, who was God’s promised child. Isaac was the first descendant of God’s chosen people. Although, God brought redemption to Sarah’s story, Ishmael (Hagar’s child) was never a part of His plan.
Takeaways:
- Trying to force the promised child to come sooner only caused unnecessary pain and delay. Sarah’s impatience blinded her to the reality that there was a reason for the wait.
- Isaac had to be born at a specific time so Jesus, who would eventually descend from him could be born at the right moment in history. 2,000 years prior, God was making a way for us to be saved from our sins through His son Jesus!
- We are a teeny, tiny part of God’s plan and sometimes our waiting has less to do with us and more to do with God’s larger story.
For this reason, Sarah didn’t need to step ahead of God’s timing. And neither do you. Impatience causes you to create an Ishmael, but be patient because God wants to give you an Isaac.
2. Esther’s Story
Queen Esther had her faith tested when her husband’s right-hand man, Haman, plotted to destroy her people. When Esther was warned about Haman’s evil plan, her first response was doubt- Why would the king listen to her? Even worse, speaking to the king was dangerous. She could lose her life for making him angry.
After she reconsidered this may be God’s plan for her life, her attitude changed. Queen Esther organized a royal banquet, so she could sweet talk the king into thwarting the evil plan. She courageously decided to obey God even though He didn’t bring any prior confirmation of His promise. Although her life was on the line, she waited expectantly for God to move even without any signs of Him at work. Ultimately, God rewarded her obedience and used her mightily!
Takeaways:
- Instead of trusting what I see happening in the here and now, I trust God’s character. When I remember His faithfulness, it helps me to wait in eager anticipation like Esther.
- Esther’s obedience shows that trusting God positions us to step into the higher place/promise that He called us to.
Even when the Lord seems silent, He’s not. The Bible says, “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). God is always working! Don’t let the Lord’s silence discourage you, choose to be hopeful while you wait on Him.
3. Hannah’s Story
Hannah was in agony over not having a baby. The Bible says that as she was praying and crying out to God, she was mistaken for being drunk because her lips were moving and nothing was coming out (1 Samuel 1:13). She was in such deep distress that she was speechless.
Although Hannah poured her soul before the Lord, she was willing to sacrifice what she wanted for God’s will. She didn’t magically stop wanting a baby, but when told to “Go in peace” the Bible says Hannah “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1 Samuel 1:18). Hannah reached a place of surrender. Like clockwork, when she reached this place, Hannah became pregnant with Samuel, who lived to be a great prophet of Israel.
Takeaways
- Surrender is accepting and desiring God’s plans to happen over your own. When you surrender, it releases you from the burden of an unmet expectation.
- Surrendering my desires to God is a daily thing. Sometimes even a moment-by-moment thing.
- It is better to desire God’s will for my life because He knows what I need and when I need it.
Hannah saw breakthrough when her desires aligned with the Lord’s. If you are willing to submit to God and hold your desire with open hands, you can see victory too.
4. The Bleeding Women’s Story
In the gospels, we read about a woman who had a medical condition that caused her to bleed nonstop. She suffered for ten years without reprieve. This lady visited all the best doctors in town, and no one could help her. I imagine she was tired, frustrated, and longing for her situation to change. Not to mention, her medical condition had social consequences. She was ostracized because people believed she was unclean. She only had faith, but that was exactly what it took to make her well. When she noticed Jesus in a crowd, she believed just touching Him was sufficient to receive total healing. So, she went for it! She touched the tip of Jesus’ garments and was healed instantly.
Takeaways
- Sometimes, when we wait a long time, it causes us to become passive. We wait and wait and wait and expect the solution to fall out of the sky. We say we’re just waiting on God to make it happen.
- There is a balance. God wills that I rely on Him, but at the same time, I need to cooperate with Him. Sometimes this means doing something to move forward.
- I must be willing to exercise bold faith while I wait on God.
The bleeding woman’s story teaches us that faith should spur us unto action. Don’t expect to sit back while God does all of the work. Start taking steps to make your dream a reality.
I don’t know what you’re believing God for, but I do know the God we serve is faithful. The Bible says that His word never returns void, so you can trust that whatever God has spoken to you will happen. I understand waiting is not our first choice but it does not have to be miserable. Let the faith, obedience, and hopefulness of each lady in the Bible inspire you to wait similarly. My prayer is that patience would have its perfect work in you and me as we wait on the Lord.