One thing about being a saint though? We are still humans. Our mortality means we fail and we fall at times -- which explains the existence of prodigal saints who are finding their way back. To be human means to have imperfections, and to be imperfect, means waiting until we're completely changed. The change, however, takes a LONG time. It may be a sure thing that we will be made perfect (Philippians 1:6), but that doesn't change the fact that it has to take time.
I have to admit, it's TIRING (to say the least) to be waiting. Waiting for answered prayers, waiting for directions, for guidance, etc. Patience isn't really something our humanity came with. But when God says wait, we HAVE to wait.
Good things come to those who wait. Take Esau for example, he was impatient and chose immediate gratification over something more significant. (Here's a post about Esau)
Who else?
I. Noah waited 600 years before God called him to do something. (Genesis 7:6) The bible says:
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. (Genesis 6:9)
So imagine, he was 600 years old when the flood came (Genesis 7:6), and he was chosen to be saved because he was seen as "righteous and blameless" -- that meant HE WALKED FAITHFULLY WITH GOD FOR 600 YEARS! For 600 years he was patiently walking with God and obeying everything he was told!
LESSON 1: How dare I ask God for immediate answers and instructions, when I've only been waking with Him for 19 years (minus, probably, the years before I started talking)? Not to mention the fact that even with just 19 years, as compared to Noah's 600, I don't think I can be called "faithful" -- let alone "righteous and blameless!" He'll give me further instructions when I'm ready. God makes us wait until we're ready.
II. Another person we could look at is Abraham.
Abraham was promised something awesome by God:
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you." (Genesis 12:2)
"I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted" (Genesis 13:16)
God promised him children, and COUNTLESS children too! But God did not say when. So as we all know, he got his son when he was 100 years old! (Genesis 21:5) He had to wait till he was 100 before he was given a SON!
LESSON 2: God makes us wait to let us learn to trust in Him and have FAITH in His faithfulness. God promised Abraham to be a great nation, meaning a LOT of descendants, but he had to wait till he was a hundred before he even got one! In Genesis 15: 2-3 Abraham actually complains about not having a son. But also in that same chapter? God reassured him that He will be having children (Genesis 15:5) And what was Abraham's response?
"Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)
From then on, Abraham knew better, and up to today, we know him as "The Father of Faith."
III. Let's not forget Jacob.
He too was promised to blessed by God in a dream -- riches and descendants. (Genesis 28: 10-15) So for that, he obviously needed a family: a wife, property, and some kids. All of which he actually got ONLY after working for his uncle for 20years (and occasionally being deceived by him too).
LESSON 3: God makes us wait for us to trust Him, that in spite of our humanity (or others' humanity) His promises will still prevail. He is above everything, His sovereignty cannot be impeded by anything and/or anyone! Jacob had to work hard under his uncle, and even got tricked and accused, but in the end God's promise still held true.
IV. Lastly, we can look at Joseph.
Talk about a tragic life? Joseph had it all. At 17 he saw dreams of his brothers and parents bowing to him -- a vision from God prophesying his future rule in Egypt (Genesis 37: 1-11). And he only got be ruler when he was 30 years old (Genesis 41:46). Compared to Noah's 600 years, and Abraham 100 years? 13 years seem like a short wait. However, let's not forget that in that span of time he: was betrayed by his brothers (Gen. 37:19), sold as a slave (Gen. 37:26-28; Gen. 39:1), accused of rape (Gen. 39:6-19), thrown into jail (Gen. 39:20), and forgotten (for a short while at least: Gen. 40:23). But through all of it, God was with him and blessed him. (Gen. 39:2, 5, 20-21, 23).
LESSON 4: God makes us wait to build up our character.If Joseph were to become supreme ruler of Egypt (second only to Pharaoh) when he was 17, he'll probably be a cocky and prideful ruler. After all, he did seem inconsiderate when he shared his dreams to his brothers. And if he were to become ruler before he was ready, he probably would not be mature enough to forgive his brothers and say:
"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." (Gen. 45:5)
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." (Gen. 45:8)
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen. 50:20)
In waiting, God teaches us certain things -- things we can only learn through waiting; we mature with time and circumstances, God knows that.
Lesson 5: In waiting, we have to strive to be faithful. Noah walked faithfully with God while he waited (Genesis 6:9), and Joseph too, stayed righteous and faithful as he waited for God's plans to unfold. He worked hard on the things he was entrusted with, he remained faithful to his earthly masters, and he walked closely with God that he had confidence in His power through him (this was especially evident in what he says in Genesis 40:8). As we wait, we too have to be faithful and work on what we're commanded now, until further instructions.
As Saints, waiting is a part of our journey. These people show us some of the things we can do while we wait and insights on why God would make us wait. But invariably? WE have to make the CONSCIOUS EFFORT to be faithful as we wait -- something we can only do as we stay in CONSTANT COMMUNION with HIM.
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