Stop. Breathe. Ask Him. Wait.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

God waits … on us? Or is it He is waiting for the absolute best time to move in our life? Or both at the same time? I always have so many questions for Him! Do you seek to understand God better? Do you want His wisdom and counsel? Do you seek Him above all else? Do you actually ‘long’ for Him, in the way you ‘long’ to be with someone you greatly love?

This really is about our desire to know Him more. Who inherently has that desire? Aren’t we made to be His companion?

But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Are we quick to judge? Are we quick to our ‘opinion’? Or do we seek Him on what to think about things? Can we actually ‘wait on Him’?

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5

This attribute is grown in maturity. It does not come naturally. We have to SEEK Him! We have to listen to Him! We have to be willing to surrender and submit to the Holy Spirit when He brings His Word to our hearts and mind. We must learn the fruit of the Holy Spirit of patience. Is it easy? NO! It is the opposite of our flesh nature.

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

This is the discipline of a follower of Jesus! Can you actually walk ‘with Him’? When we are ‘young’ we want Him to walk with us. Eventually we learn His path and desires for us are better than our own. So … do you ask Him?

How close can you come to actually doing what He asks you to do? How much does our own fear get in the way of doing that? How much of our own insecurity stops us from moving forward with Him? Do you ‘wait for Him’ or does your anxiety rule your reactions? These questions always make me stop, as I am certainly guilty of NOT doing the right thing much of the time.

Can I just stop in the midst of my day no matter the circumstances? Take some deep breaths. Point my heart and mind to Him and gently ask Him? Can I wait for His answer to me? This is our daily challenge.

Father … we wait for YOU! Jesus… YOU showed us perfect patience. Holy Spirit help us learn these things.