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Writer's pictureSandra Franklin

How Will You Wait?

Updated: Nov 12



It had been a while since we’d seen each other. The Mom and daughter were members of our previous church. When they walked thru the doors it was a welcomed surprise. Unfortunately a time mix up made for a late arrival.

They'd traveled a distance so they asked if my husband would give a summary of the sermon he preached earlier. He agreed but needed to take care of some pressing issues first. A few moments later a man came in and asked for a ride to the bus station. He received the same response.


As the ladies and I chatted, the man paced asking repeatedly if he was going to get a ride. His impatience became irritating until Holy Spirit asked, "How will you wait …. like him or them? Whew! It wasn’t just a question, it was a mirror.



…. "How will you wait …. like him or them? Whew! It wasn’t just a question, it was a mirror.


I was believing God for things that required a strength far beyond what I possessed. There were promises but no manifestation. At times I stood strong. But there were moments when my faith bowed to my reality. I wasn’t waiting well.


 


As we journey through the Bible we find men and women who waited for their faith to become sight. David was among those heroes. Samuel anointed him when he was approximately fifteen years old to become the next king. But what happens afterwards seems rather odd. David returned to tending his sheep, seemingly destined for obscurity.


Some time later David got a glimpse of what God had in store but it didn’t last long.

- 1 Samuel 16:14-23

King Saul’s jealous rage sent David running for his life. He no longer enjoyed the freedom of the fields, he was reduced to hiding in caves. His circumstances made the promise seem impossible yet David refused to take his destiny into his own hands. - 1 Samuel 24:10-13


His circumstances made the promise seem impossible.


How could David wait in the midst of such adversity? The answer is simple. He knew and trusted God. You see, in the pastures there was a role reversal. Yes, David was a shepherd to his flock. But God revealed Himself as David’s Shepherd.


God was the one who provided and defended. It was His strength that killed the lion and the bear. And it was God that sheltered David during adverse weather conditions.


David's time in the fields was more than an occupation, it was his training ground.

His solitary moments as a shepherd and fugitive created sacred spaces of worship. The heart of a king was developed in David long before he became royalty.


 

We never know what part of our lives are being shaped while we wait. Just because we don’t see God moving doesn’t mean he’s idle or unaware. He is orchestrating even the undesirable, unexpected and painful portions of lives for our good.


 

The ladies waited because they had history with my husband. They knew he would keep his word. How much more can we trust our God?


That Sunday the Lord showed me how I was waiting and it wasn't pretty. My response to Holy Spirit’s question was a mixture of repentance, prayer and surrender.


 

Have you been in a long season of unknowns and not yets? If so, I pray your hope is renewed and encouragement overshadows every disappointment. I pray as you rehearse God's truths, they come alive in your soul.

And since every season involves some level of waiting, I pray you'll rest in God's faithfulness so you can wait well.


Your Sister Friend,





















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