WAITING – HOPE, AFFLICTION, PRAYER
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Waiting. We all spend time waiting for something. Waiting and expecting. But how do we wait? Why do we wait? How are we to wait? All great questions.
This passage gives us a glimpse into waiting. How we are to wait on the Lord. So many times we just want things now, that we don’t even think about what it would be like to wait. To really wait for something. We get so impatient in this crazy world of instant everything. Let’s take a moment and realize some important things about waiting on the Lord.
Be joyful in hope – We are to wait with hope. Expectations of things to come. But we are to be joyful in that waiting. I ponder the expectation of Christ’s return and how hopeful it is to get to spend eternity with God. The hope we have in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Oh, to just sit and ponder in these amazing gifts from God and know that we have joy in the hope of the future.
Patient in affliction – We are to expect affliction. God says to count it all joy when we experience trials. But to be patient! Really, patience is not something I do well. I like things now. Especially when I am struggling, I want an answer and I want it now! I’m reminded of the little girl in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. She wanted everything, and she wanted it now. She would throw a tantrum until she got what she wanted. Then one day when she got to go into the Wonka factory, she threw a fit. She did not get what she wanted.
It is difficult to wait patiently when we are going through difficult times, but God has a better plan for us. Take a moment and focus on Him when the struggles are overwhelming. When we want something right now. Stop. Wait and see what God is going to do.
Faithful in Prayer – Faithful. In. Prayer. Three very important words. To be faithful means to remain firm in observance of duty; to be true to a standard; steadfast in affection or allegiance. (Merrian-Webster)
When you hear faithful in prayer, what do you think about? In I Thessalonians we are told to pray without ceasing. We are to be anxious about nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication. We are to bring everything to God — all our concerns, thoughts, joys, hurts, dreams, and the list goes on. We are to be continually talking to Him about everything.
So when you put faithful in prayer together, you are continually praying, talking to God out of your deep affection and allegiance to Him. You pray our of duty and love.
As we wait and pray, we find our hope in Jesus. Our strength in Him. Our dreams becoming His desire for the lost. Although we hate waiting, it is well worth the wait when we see God’s hand moving in our lives and the lives of those we love.
So won’t you wait with me joyfully in hope, patiently in affliction, and faithfully in prayer.
Prayer
Father, you know how I struggle to wait. You know my many hopes and dreams. You know how I long for answers and being able to do so many more things, but help me to learn how to wait. Learn how to pray. May I wait joyfully in the hope I have in You. Patiently in the afflictions that draw me closer to You. And faithfully in prayer for the things of You. Draw us all closer to You. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.