Waiting Room

“‘The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go.’” 1 Samuel 26:11 NKJV

Have I ever told you that God is working on me and patience? Waiting is not my strong suit, and I’m grateful that my waiting game is improving slowly but surely. The funny thing about God is that waiting seems to be a prerequisite to His promises. The Israelites wandered the desert for forty years and waited hundreds of years to be rescued from slavery (Exodus 2 - Numbers). Several decades lapsed between the promise of rain and it actually falling to save Noah and his family (Gen 6). Similar to when we go to the doctor's office, we must wait a while before being called back to receive our service. Just like we know we'll be seen after our time in the waiting room, God always fulfills His promises to us after our waiting period.

God told David that he would be king, yet nothing seemed to suggest he would be king. David had the opportunity to take matters into his own hands, but he refused to do so. He recognized that God would be the one to fulfill the promise, not David making it happen on God’s behalf.

This reverence for timing helped to prepare David even more for the kingship. David needed more preparation for the promise. His time in the waiting room helped to develop his character, learn the land of Israel and neighboring lands, and build his leadership skills, among others. In this particular passage, David got supplies for his journey, and David demonstrated to God that he respects authority and God’s wisdom by not killing the man God chose to lead the nation at that time.

The very thing that was keeping David from the promise, was exactly what David needed in order to receive the promise: time. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” No matter what God has promised you, there is a season for it to come to pass. Instead of begrudging the time wondering when it will happen, be grateful and seek the Lord. Use the time in the waiting room as preparation to develop and get what you need in order to maximize receipt of the promise.

Reflection

What promise am I waiting for God to fulfill? How can I maximize my waiting room period? What can I do to be best prepared for the promise? How do I need to grow or adapt?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of time. Forgive me for trying to rush things or take matters into my hands. Help me to trust that You will deliver and allow me to use my waiting room time as preparation. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Photo by R O on Unsplash