Streams In The Desert Reading PlanPrøve

DAY 20

Have you prayed and prayed, and waited and waited, and still you see no evidence of an answer? Are you tired of seeing no movement? Are you at the point of giving up? Then perhaps you have not waited in the right way, which removes you from the right place—the place where the Lord can meet you.

“Wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 [emphasis added]). Patience eliminates worry. The Lord said he would come, and his promise is equal to his presence. Patience eliminates weeping. Why feel sad and discouraged? He knows your needs better than you do, and his purpose in waiting is to receive more glory through it. Patience eliminates self-works. “The work of God is this: to believe” (John 6:29), and once you believe, you may know all is well. Patience eliminates all want. Perhaps your desire to receive what you want is stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled.

Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of waiting as being wasted time, realize that God is preparing his resources and strengthening you as well. Patience eliminates all wobbling. “He touched me and raised me to my feet” (Daniel 8:18). God’s foundations are steady, and when we have his patience within, we are steady while we wait. Patience yields worship. Sometimes the best part of praiseful waiting is experiencing “great endurance and patience … giving joyful thanks” (Colossians 1:11–12).

C. H. P.