{"id":3143,"date":"2015-11-15T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T15:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3143"},"modified":"2015-08-08T16:59:44","modified_gmt":"2015-08-08T21:59:44","slug":"choose-to-wait-on-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3143","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Wait on God"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Year of Choices…<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren from Barbara\u2019s Banter at\u00a0www.barbdahlgren.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Waitng<\/p>\n

There are times in life when we pray and feel God responds instantly.\u00a0 Then there are other times we try to lift our prayers to heaven and feel they get no farther than the ceiling.\u00a0 But that\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Even though we may feel like our prayers aren\u2019t going high enough, they are \u2013 because God is always with us.\u00a0 So God always hears our prayers and always answers.<\/p>\n

Sometimes He says \u201cyes\u201d and sometimes \u201cno\u201d and sometimes the answer is to \u201cwait awhile.\u201d \u00a0If the answer is “yes” we break out into our happy dance. \u00a0It the answer is “no” we are disappointed but start to adjust. \u00a0However, I think the \u201cwait awhile\u201d can be the most difficult to deal with.\u00a0 No one today wants to wait for anything.\u00a0 We are always in a hurry and we want what we want when we want it.\u00a0 Once I was in such a hurry I ordered fast food at a drive-thru and drove off without my burger.<\/p>\n

Today we don\u2019t have to wait for much at all.\u00a0 We can get money when banks are closed through ATMs. \u00a0If we don\u2019t have money to buy something we don\u2019t need to wait until we save the money to get it, we have credit cards.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have to wait until we get home for a phone message because our cell phones are always with us.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have to email and wait for a response, we can text.\u00a0 We don\u2019t like to wait.<\/p>\n

However, sometimes what we learn by waiting on God can be just as important as what we are waiting for.\u00a0 If deliverance from a dire situation comes too quickly we can consider it coincidence, good timing, or due to our own ability.\u00a0 When we have to wait for something we usually appreciate it a little more.\u00a0 Waiting is a \u201cbuilding block\u201d of life.\u00a0 It builds our character, builds our patience, and builds our dependency on God.<\/p>\n

Many in the Bible had to wait on God.\u00a0 Abraham and Sarah waited for Isaac\u2019s birth.\u00a0 Noah waited for the flood.\u00a0 Moses waited to get out of the wilderness.\u00a0 Joseph waited to get out of prison.\u00a0 Job waited for deliverance.\u00a0 David waited to become king.\u00a0 We are now waiting for Christ\u2019s return.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Those<\/p>\n

Before Christ ascended into the clouds he told the Apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. He said to \u201ctarry until\u201d they were endued with it.\u00a0 Tarry is just another word for wait.\u00a0 God could have had the Holy Spirit given to them instantly but He chose to have them wait.\u00a0 (Acts 1:1-5)\u00a0 They walked all day to get to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (Acts 4:12)\u00a0 They all went into an upper room \u2013 along with other followers \u2013 120 in total. (Acts 4:13-15)\u00a0 All waited for the promised Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

While they were waiting they spent their time wisely.\u00a0 They prayed. (Acts 4:14) \u00a0They studied scriptures. (Acts 4:15-20)\u00a0 They continued God\u2019s work. (Acts 4:21-26)\u00a0 They were not idle.<\/p>\n

Isaiah 40:31 tells us what happens to those who wait on the Lord.\u00a0 God renews their strength. \u00a0They run but don\u2019t get weary.\u00a0 They walk and don\u2019t get faint. \u00a0This shows they must be active.\u00a0 They are moving \u2013 running and walking \u2013 not just sitting around moping.\u00a0 Waiting on God does not mean sitting around doing nothing, sulking and feeling sorry for ourselves.\u00a0 Waiting is doing what we are supposed to do:\u00a0 praying, studying, and doing God\u2019s will. (Psalm 37:34) \u00a0Waiting on God builds patience, trust, and faith.<\/p>\n

This waiting not only applies to our lives but the lives of others we are praying for.\u00a0 Instead of waiting for God to deliver them, sometimes we want to deliver them ourselves.\u00a0 Oswald Chambers puts it this way:\u00a0 \u201cAre we playing the role of amateur providence, trying to play God\u2019s role in the lives of others.\u00a0 Are we so noisy in our instruction of other people that God cannot get near them?\u00a0 We must learn to keep our mouths shut and our spirits alert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026Not only are we waiting on God we are waiting with God.\u00a0 He is with us every step of the way.\u00a0 We are not alone in our wait.\u00a0 While we wait we need to stay focused on God so we don\u2019t grow weary. (Galatians 6:9) \u00a0It\u2019s our relationship with Him that gives us strength and courage. (Psalm 61:1)<\/p>\n

I love what Psalm 62:1 says.\u00a0 \u201cTruly my soul waits on God: from him comes my salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Psalms<\/a><\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n