Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
The Bible tells us without faith it is impossible to please God, and we must learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
Let’s face it: Walking by faith and not by sight is not very comfortable. Frankly, walking by faith would be a lesson I would never learn if it were left up to me, how about you? Give me my choice and I’ll have all my problems solved immediately, I’ll choose a predictable, well-planned, and executed life, without problems, without difficulties, without heartaches. Who wouldn’t?
And, of course, God knows that, but because he’s my heavenly Father, with all wisdom and knowledge, he also knows that would not be good for me. Just imagine what we’d be like if we never had to walk by faith. First of all, we wouldn’t please God, for without faith it’s impossible to please him and without waiting periods, our faith would never develop.
Secondly, we’d have little character since character is developed through waiting periods; we’d have no compassion for others since we would not be able to understand their struggles; we’d be proud and self-satisfied. There would be no cutting edge on our lives, no reason to turn to God daily with our needs, no learning to feed on his Word and rest in his care. No, a life of ease without those waiting periods would not be good for us, and our trustworthy heavenly Father knows that, even when we don’t.
I think if we could grasp the blessedness of trusting God and the freedom and joy that brings into our lives, then waiting periods would look entirely different to us. We see them as great difficulties or at least annoying inconveniences. God sees how they force us to learn to know him and trust him, and of course, that is more important than anything else.
Ask God to give you a different perspective on your waiting periods.