One of the greatest questions we ask in our daily life is, “how long?” We ask it to almost everyone. From the person taking our name at the restaurant, to the auto mechanic who is changing our oil, to the pizza delivery chain where we place our order, or to the mail person as we send our package out. Many times we ask how long because we have a plan, a schedule, an idea and we need to know if the time quoted coincides with our plans.
I believe in the technology age, it has become worse as the speed at which we conduct everyday life increases, our ability to wait decreases. When an email arrives almost instantaneously, we have trouble waiting 3-5 days for a package in the mail. As the technology increases what seems fast now, like 2 day delivery, will seem so slow compared to same day delivery.
Christians, I warn myself and you, we cannot let this impatience seep into our spiritual lives. First of all, let me say that God can be the God of the instantaneous. He spoke and creation came into existence. Jesus also spoke and people were healed in an instant, or delivered and set free, or raised from the dead. God can ALSO be the God of long processes. Study Job, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Joseph.
From the Garden of Eden, God was planning to send a Redeemer, He rebuked the serpent, spoke the prophecy and yet that process took THOUSANDS of years to complete. Not because God was incapable, but because God always has a plan in the process. I know for myself, I sit writing this revelation over 7 years into a situation God lead me to. I have asked God “how long” many times; out of impatience, through tears, as I wondered if it would ever end. Yet as I wait, still in this trial, I can look back over the last 7 years of my life and I can see God’s perfection.
I can see my maturity as a Christian, my understanding of the Word and my faith strengthened in Him. I can see the process, how it was perfectly designed to draw out the negative and fill in the positive. Less of me and more of Him. When we ask, “how long?” and there is no answer, God is sparing us from the thought of, “is it worth the wait?”
When we ask how long will it take for that pizza, we have a timeframe, a plan and desire to eat. If they said, “oh about 3 hours.” For most people that would not fit into their time frame and they would say never mind. God wants us to fulfill His purpose for our lives. If He had told me at the start, “you will be waiting 7+ years for my plan to come to pass”, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. However…I did handle it, and I will continue to handle it one day at a time, slowly walking out the will He has for my life. You can too, whatever it is, whatever you are going through, despite how many times you have cried out, you can handle it, one day at a time, pressing into God and pressing through the circumstances.
Father I pray for those who feel weary, I pray for the long-sufferers, I pray for those at the end of their rope, the ones who see no hope, I pray for a renewed strength, I pray you help them lift up their eyes, I pray that you help them rest in your presence, and realize your goodness. I pray for new grace, new strength, new anointing, a new passion for the cause, I pray against all the attacks of the enemy who says to “doubt” or to “quit”. I bind them in Jesus Name, I pray that you release a fresh encouragement over your people, that they may fulfill the call, that they may stand strong in the fight, and finish the race, all by your grace and power we thank you in Jesus name, Amen.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalms 27:13-14 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)
God is ETERNAL, so He looks at things from Eternity Past to Eternity Future which brings in Great clarity on our situations and circumstances.
Verses to edify:
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. II Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]. You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. James 4:14-15 (AMP)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own. Matthew 6:33-34 (NASB)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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