In the Waiting

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3

Riding high on God's promises, Abram left all that was familiar. At 75 years old, he left his home and his family, packed up all of his belongings and those of his wife and nephew, Lot, and hit the road. He knew God was faithful. He knew God had given him the instruction. He was willing and obedient to follow through as he was called. 

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:7

He received multiple such promises. He was told he was going to be a great nation and inherit all of this land and be blessed. He heard this more than once. Better yet, he believed it. Abram lived and walked in his promise and God's faithfulness. He was blessed. He was provided protection despite his lies about Sarai in Egypt. (Genesis 12:10-20) His wealth in livestock and money was so great, he was no longer able to live around his nephew as the area couldn't support them all. (Genesis 13) 

The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 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. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17

He was receiving blessings. He'd heard God's voice and walked in that promise. He'd moved and been blessed with possessions galore. He'd received safety when it could've easily gone sideways if not for God stepping in. God made a covenant with Abram.

"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15:1

They had a full discussion about the fact that Abram didn't understand. How was he going to fulfill this promise, how could he possibly be the father of a great nation when he wasn't even a father at all. 

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5

Promise after promise was poured over Abram. And he believed the Lord. (Genesis 15:6) He followed through with the things God was asking of him. He completed the tasks given and walked in his promise faithfully. Well, for about ten years. 

He waited and waited. He was obedient. He offered the appropriate sacrifices. He moved according to what was requested. He left his extended family behind. He was blessed in many ways. However, the *one* thing that he wanted, the one thing he has been assured was going to happen, well, just didn't. 

He got frustrated. Sarai got frustrated. They didn't understand what was going on or why nothing was happening the way it seemed it should. So about ten years into this, they stepped in and took over. The Bible doesn't specifically tell us but you can imagine the desire to see this fantastic promise come to fruition. But Sarai was barren and she was old. 

"Well surely there's something we're missing here. Something we should've done and didn't. Because now we just need to step in and complete the task that God promised. Because I can't have children so I'm going to give you my slave to provide children for you." (Genesis 16:1-2)

Up to this point, God had provided all of their needs. Things were going well. Then the humans stepped in. Then the human minds tried to 'fix' what God was already in charge of. You can imagine what happened. You can imagine how it went. Things were good. They try to start a family outside of the way God wanted things done, outside of how He promised, and things went sideways.

We don't know much about Hagar. The Bible isn't clear about her age or how long she's been with this family. For all we know, she could've been really young. Either way, it is clear that things didn't work out as planned. Hagar despised Sarai and as a result, Sarai blames Abram for her suffering. (Genesis 16:4-5) Abram give Sarai leave to do whatever she feels is best for Hagar which led to her being mistreated to the point she fled. (Genesis 16:6)

God in His great mercy takes care of Hagar. As she sits in the desert, He makes her promises as well. He wants her to know that He sees her. He is El Roi, the God who sees me. He encourages her to go back to Sarai and she bears Abram a son named, Ishmael. (Genesis 16:7-15)

Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. This was 11 years after the initial promise of being a great nation. A time when he felt he was doing things God's way and following His leading. But Hagar was not God's plan and look at the suffering that was caused a result of trying to fix things. Hagar suffered. Sarai suffered. Abram suffered. And you know for a fact that Ishmael suffered growing up too. Because they tried to control what God already did. 

God had made a covenant with Abram. He changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. He continued to pour over them. When God speaks, it happens. When He makes a promise, you can take it to the bank. You can rest assured that it's going to come to fruition. Despite the longevity of the wait, laughing at the promise (Genesis 18:12), and feeling like it's just never going to happen because now you're too old/worn out/broke/circumstances changed, etc. 

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:13-14

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Is He not the creator of the Universe? Does He not hold the world and all that are in it in the palm of His mighty hand? When God speaks, things happen. But it's not on our time frame. It's not always when we want. It's not always exactly how we envisioned it. But it always happens.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Sarah gave birth to a son. As promised, God provided. (Genesis 21:1-2) Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old. 25 years after the promise was originally given. But as the Scripture says, "The Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.... at the very time God had promised Him."

God's timetable isn't our own. He sees things we do not, knows things we do not. We cannot even pretend to be able to follow along with His plans. The things we think should happen, or the time frame in which we think they should, could ultimately end up being something that derails or harms us. The things we think we need can often be the opposite. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

He has plans for us. Good plans! Maybe you're single and waiting for your spouse. Perhaps you're waiting for a child. Maybe it's a promotion at work or a new job completely. Maybe it's a financial need that's weighing heavy. Perhaps it's a family relationship or an addiction or fill in the blank with whatever is so heavy on your heart. God knows. He's carrying it close to His as well.

When we try to fix things, we often just make them worse. Like Abraham and Sarah trying to fix what wasn't broken, we make a mess of things. It's so hard to remember that we don't have to try and control everything. It's hard to just be still, to just be patient, to remember that He put the stars into the heavens and knows them by name. He can hold your heart and your life too. 

Patience is hard. It's difficult to hear the promises and wait for their fulfillment. It can be hard to just keep going without the progress being evident. The last thing to grow on a tree though is the fruit. The roots must dig deep, the trunk strengthened, the limps stretch out, and then the fruit can come. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Even when it's difficult to see His hands at work, stay the course. Even when you don't understand, keep the faith. Even when it doesn't make sense, lean into Him. Life can be so hard and can throw so many curveballs. I've seen God move though. I've seen promises fulfilled. I've felt His arms around me holding me when things are difficult and I can't make sense of any of it. I've seen my Waymaker provide in ways that only make any sense through Him.

He doesn't lead you down a path where He won't follow. His promises are good because He is faithful. Just as He completed and fulfilled all the promises in the Bible, He works for you according to His will. Rest in that.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Whatever your struggle is, remember He walks with you. Remember to leave it at His feet. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

When the going gets tough, the tough rely on God. Even when it feels like He isn't moving, even if it feels like He's forgotten, even when you don't see the movement. Remember He is with you always. Even when the going seems to be at a standstill. He is faithful. Patience is hard but lean in, He holds you, walks before you, and is working out all the details even when we can't see it.

Be encouraged today. You are not forgotten. You are loved. You are chosen. You are desired by the Creator of the universe. He walks with you, before you, and behind you. He's holding you. In the waiting, remember to lean in. There are lessons to be learned here that will profit the fulfillment of His promise. Lean in, rest in Him. Trust that God is faithful.

Just as Abraham and Sarah saw the fulfillment of the promise with Isaac, you will too. Stay the course. Try not to get impatient and try to fix it on your own. How very easy to try to make things work by our own hands. This often just makes a mess of things though. Remember, we serve the God that parts seas, makes five loaves and two fish feed thousands, and raises people from the dead. He can work in your situation too. 

Rest and be blessed.