Waiting for God
Have you ever found yourself waiting and hoping for God? Have you ever found yourself uncertain, unsure, and discouraged?
That must have been what was in the hearts and minds of Jesus’ disciples on Saturday. The events of the day before were overwhelming. The mock trial, the horrific beating, and the cruel crucifixion are etched in the minds of Jesus’ followers. Can you imagine the questions they must have asked themselves? Perhaps they wondered…
If they had wasted three years following Jesus?
If the Jewish leaders and Roman guards would come for them also?
If Jesus' prophecy of His own resurrection would really occur?
Regardless, they waited to see. Make no mistake, Jesus was dead. There was no doubt. From human terms death, sin, the grave, and Satan had won.
But still there is the promise, the hope of His resurrection. After all he told His disciples He would return. But was it real? The only thing they could do was to wait.
Waiting for God can be discouraging and frustrating. Sometimes it feels that God has forgotten or forsaken us. Sometimes we wonder if God has abandoned us and left us alone.
But let’s remember the words of Jesus to His disciples in John 14:1-6. Just before His death, Jesus told His disciples what would happen. Just before the garden, the trial, his crucifixion, and his death, Jesus encouraged His disciples to not be sorrowful. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).
For us, the question is “HOW will we wait?” knowing that Jesus really is “the way, the truth and the life”(John 14: 6). Perhaps today you find yourself in God’s waiting room. Here are three tools to help us fight the discouragement while we wait.
Claim and reclaim the promises of God by faith and not by feelings.
Feast on the Word of God and not on thoughts that are defeating and negative.
Pray for wisdom, insight, and understanding to see what God is doing in and through your life.
Someone has said that “the only thing worse than waiting on God is wishing you had.” Don’t act in the flesh. Don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. Trust today that God is at work. Be encouraged, for the resurrection is only a day away!
Read John 14 - 15