The Pitfalls of Waiting - Isaiah 30:18 Part IV

The Pitfalls of Waiting  - Isaiah 30:18 – Part IV

If you are in a time of preparation, you will hopefully avail yourself of the fullness of the blessing to pause, reflect, research, and consider what lies ahead on the glorious road of life.  Actually, each week, we should observe the Sabbath.  In so doing, we pull aside from the hustle and bustle of life for the purposes of spiritual renewal and preparation.  This weekly time of sabbatical allows us to prepare for the week ahead.

Preparation requires the daily practice of one’s core spiritual disciplines.  Often I refer to “SPAMBID” which is a sevenfold configuration of biblical spirituality.  These seven practices include (1) self-evaluation, (2) prayer, (3) affirmation, (4) meditation, (5) Bible study, (6) imaging and (7) daily quiet time and devotion.  Yet, as the second great principle that waiting yields, meditation is central to utilizing the gift of time.  This particular spiritual discipline enables us to hear with the ears and see with the eyes of our heart.  In the practice of meditation, we use the Word of God as our prism to view our lives, past, present and future.  Actually, the first psalm speaks of meditating on the Law of God.  The Hebrew word for meditate refers to the practice of a cow chewing endlessly upon its cud.  It grinds the grass with its teeth, swallows, regurgitates, chews again, etc.  Similarly, we reflect upon the scriptures until they speak to our heartfelt desires.  In so doing, the Word of God transforms our desires into the Lord’s will for us.  “Delight thy self in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  The essence of meditation and preparation is synchronicity of our wills with God’s will.

Preparation and meditation often yield clarity which is the third spiritual principle one derived when waiting patiently on the will of God.  Perhaps, we linger in our present condition because we are confused about our calling or our forthcoming assignment.  Periods of waiting often resemble an intermission break within a play.  Darkness falls on the stage and the curtain is drawn.  Seemingly, nothing is happening for a while.  However, behind the curtain, a lot of activity is going on.  The stage and setting are being rearranged to fit the narrative and action of the forthcoming scenes and acts.  The change in the props clarify the adaptations that the story will take.  For us, clarity is a non-negotiable in order to proceed to the next divine assignment.

Undoubtedly, waiting on the Lord is one of the most difficult spiritual practices to maintain.  One cannot avoid feelings of abandonment.  Inevitably, one falls prey to the temptation of moaning and groaning.  Actually, complaining is an act of faithlessness; in fact, it is an insult of God’s character.  When we complain, we indict the truth of God’s revelation as recorded in the Bible.  The Lord says, “I am Jehovah-jireh, the One who provides.”  As we gripe in the midst of waiting on the Lord’s provision, we essentially declare that we are unsure whether the Lord possesses the power, knowledge, kindness and presence to meet our needs.  We state a claim against the integrity of the character of Almighty God.  Because waiting on the Lord creates the mental, emotional and spiritual environment for these negative thoughts and opens the door to this perpetual sin, “being still and knowing that He is Lord” remains one of the toughest challenges of faith, when the Lord leaves us in a holding pattern.

Seasons of waiting on the Lord are intended to aid us in learning how to trust Him more genuinely.  An essential aspect of growing in a right relationship with God is developing the capacity to trust Him forthrightly irrespective of our surrounding circumstances.  It is so easy to recite biblical and ecclesiastical clichés that we have learned over time.  “He may not come when you want Him but He is always on time.”  “It works in God’s time and not yours.”  “He makes a way out of no way.”  “Relax God’s in charge.”  “Resign as the manager of your life.”  Needless to state, the sayings go on and on and on.  Yet, we periodically face dilemmas that appear insurmountable.  We glance at the circumstances and we ponder whether there is any favorable resolution embedded within them.  We resolve that only a miracle could redeem this situation.  Nonetheless, God utilizes those very conditions to create a spiritual classroom in which we learn to rely upon Him.