Don’t Waste the Wait

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. — Psalm 33:20–21

Have you ever noticed that there’s a lot of waiting in the Bible?

Abraham waited for an heir. Hannah waited for a child. King David waited for help. Israel waited for deliverance. But nobody likes to wait!
As human beings, we like things to happen fast. Today is better than tomorrow. So it’s no surprise that some people in the Bible ran into trouble while they were waiting. Their waiting provided the perfect opportunity for their wandering.
Israel, fresh out of Egypt, is only one example. They had just seen the mighty hand of their Deliverer, experienced His gracious provision, and been blessed by His faithfulness. And yet, in a moment of waiting, they quickly wandered from God. In Exodus 32:8, we read,

They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf.

I can’t help but be struck by that phrase, quick to turn away. When God seemed slow to answer, they were quick to turn away.

How easily we can become discouraged, resentful, forgetful, impatient, and even disobedient when we’re waiting on God. Maybe you’re waiting for God’s provision. Perhaps you are waiting for Him to right a wrong. Or maybe you are waiting for God to fulfill a promise. Regardless of your waiting, don’t let it become an opportunity to wander. Be careful of being “quick to turn away.” Wait for Him in hope. Turn to Him in trust. God never wastes our waiting.

Father, help me wait in hope. Guard my heart against wandering, doubt, or resentment. Help me trust You and wait patiently for You. I know that You are faithful, good, and present, even in the waiting. In Jesus’ name, amen.

• In what situation are you waiting on God right now? What might your children be learning about waiting from your example?
• How do you “wait in hope”?

Excerpted with permission from The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk, copyright Ruth Schwenk.

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Your Turn

So, how good are you at waiting? I often react just as the Israelites did and I get tired and discouraged and wander around perilously close to doing something foolish. Sound familiar? Lord, help us be patient in waiting! We want to learn to wait in hope! Come share your thoughts on waiting in hope on our blog. We want to hear from you! ~ Laurie McClure, Faith.Full