How long?
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psa 27:14)
When there is a need in our lives, we often pray. The single person will pray for the man/woman of God’s chosing to come along and sweep them off their feet. Those with financial difficulties will pray for relief and/or a job. Those with physical needs will pray for healing. We pray fervently and with great faith–for a while, that is. But when the answer doesn’t come right away, we get discouraged. We start to think, perhaps, that God doesn’t hear or doesn’t care. But God’s timing is different than ours
The story is told about a man with a financial need who had the following conversation with God:
“Lord, is it true that a thousand years for us is just like a minute to you?”
“Yes”
“Then a million dollars to us must just be a penny to you.?
“Yes”
“Lord, would you give me one of those pennies?”
“All right. Wait here a minute.”
Whether you are praying for a larger church building (as we are), or a house (as my family is), or a Christian wife/husband (as some of you are), or a certain job (as some of you are), it is not enough just to pray. We have to pray and be willing to wait for God’s precise answer. Too often we panic and take the matter back into our hands. We then end up with the wrong church building, the wrong house, the wrong spouse, or the wrong job! I believe that often God wants to teach us as much or more through our waiting as he does through answering our prayers.
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That sounds a lot like me. I have trouble giving total control to God and I have trouble with patience so I do things on my own and they end up backfiring on me.
Hi Julissa! Sorry to say that I just noticed your post on our church’s website. Anyway, it was nice hearing from you. I am teaching a series of messages regarding “finding the will of God.” You might find them helpful. We’d love to see you at a service, if you are local!
Pastor Joe
How do we know when it’s the right thing from God? Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. I noticed when I just want to serve God, help people, and do the right thing, God gives us these things when we aren’t even paying attention. Other than that, I am still trying to understand the “Pray and wait for God’s direction” thing.