Are We There Yet?ናሙና

How Much Longer?

For most of us, waiting is no fun, especially when we have no idea how long we need to wait. In situations where we can see the approximate waiting time, it is more bearable. But in Elijah’s case, there was no end in sight.

I have often wondered why Elijah was so miserable during his meltdown under the broom tree. “‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died’” (1 Kings 19:4, NLT). Just the day before, he was part of some spectacular moves of God. Had I been the one who prayed down fire to a wet altar and rain to a drought-ridden land, I would have been on a spiritual high! But Elijah was tired of the struggle. “Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too’” (1 Kings 19:10, NLT).

The idea of waiting is mostly associated with times when nothing is happening, but this is often not the case. Waiting seasons are often battle seasons. The enemy is not happy with letting us have our blessings without a fight. When Daniel interceded for his people, an angel brought him a message about his painful period of waiting: “Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way’” (Daniel 10:12-13, NLT).

While we are waiting, God is fighting massive battles for us in the spiritual realm. He fights for our earthly struggles as well as for our souls. “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” (2 Peter 3:8, NLT).

Are you in a grueling waiting season at the moment? Do you believe that God is busy fighting your cause? Can you think of an eternal struggle that may be dragging out your wait?

Let us trust God in our times of waiting. He is not slow. He is fighting for us. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).