I’m in a season of waiting. Of believing I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land I’ve been diligently planting seeds in, and cultivating, for the last five years. Maybe, you are too! While the rains have not yet come from the Lord to cause the ground to produce abundant fruit, God has given me the faith to believe that the time for harvesting what has been worked for is just around the bend. Whether coming around that bend means another five years, or five months, I don’t know. Only the Lord knows. However, whenever the time does come, I know that it will be perfect. So, like Elijah, who received a word from the Lord, after a long season of drought, that said, the rains were coming (1 Kings 18:1), let’s continue believing that the Lord will send the rain until believing is seeing.
“And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ And he went up and looked and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And he said, ‘Go again,’ seven times. And at the seventh time he said, ‘Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’ . . . And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain” (1 Kings 18:42-45).
What I love from this passage of scripture, is that Elijah never gave up on God’s Word. He kept believing for what God had promised him. He continued to look for it, again and again. Are you still believing for what God has laid on your heart, or have you become discouraged because your wait has been long, and you don’t yet see in hand all that the Lord has promised you? It’s easy to get discouraged when the wait is long, the road is difficult, and you don’t see any evidence of His promises being fulfilled in your life. However, if we know who God is, and we believe His Word to be true, we can be confident that what He has promised us will come to fruition. How do I know this? It says in Joshua 23:14, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
Therefore, I want to encourage you. Hang on to God’s promises, and you will see the goodness of the Lord here on earth. In the wait, continue to thank God and praise Him for all He has already done to bless you, and for what He has given you the faith to believe that He is yet to do. Will He not bless you, again? He, who has promised to give you the kingdom, will He not give you everything that you need for living a holy and righteous life? In the wait, continue to believe, and declare His promises. Like David did when he said, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). Continue with your face bowed in prayer, like Elijah, until you see God’s promises come to pass. According to James 1:6-8, you must believe, and not doubt, or you should not expect to receive anything from His hand.
If at first you don’t see what you’re believing for, look again. Elijah went back to look seven times. In the Bible, the number seven, is the number for perfection; or completion. Just as it took seven days for God to create the whole earth, it could be that God is still working on your heart, and that is why you have not yet received what He has promised. If so, keep going back to the Lord in prayer, and in true humble submission to His plans and His will for your life, until you see the fulfillment of His promise to you. Is the arm of the Lord too short? Is anything too hard for Him?
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). Do not be anxious, or afraid. Only believe—and you will see the outpouring of God’s love, faithfulness, and provision for you. Lord, send the rain!
What a beautiful reminder to wake up to… I’m sitting here being thankful for these words this morning. They were exactly what I needed.
And I want to share something with you. Friday evening someone responded to the below post. For some reason, she thought I sent it last week. I know I haven’t sent it out in that manner for a long time. I looked at the date – July 18, 2020.. look how similar it is to yours.. God knew exactly the message I needed then, and He’s reiterating it this morning… thank you.
Learning to wait
Sometimes it seems that life is like a tug-of-war game between hurry and wait. But scripture shows us time and time again that learning to wait on God’s timing is always our best option. A SEASON OF WAITING As I sit in my quiet time, I marvel at God’s wisdom. I believe I have been in a season of waiting. But, in actuality, who do you know that has not been in a season of waiting? We all have to wait for things at some point in our lives. Waiting is a topic that is dear to my heart for many reasons. One of them being I don’t like to wait and I have never considered myself a patient person. And if I were to be completely honest with you, I was ok with not being patient. While I was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica (think “Island time”), I have lived in New York for the majority of my life and I have become a New Yorker through and through – fast-paced and no patience. GOD SHOWS UP What I have discovered is how God shows up in times of waiting, and how many lessons I have learned as a result of waiting and trusting the process. I can say that I have truly learned how to trust God. Whether I get the answer I desire or not, I can know that God loves me with an everlasting love. And I don’t mean that as a pat answer. I truly mean that I have discovered what it means to have a relationship with my Heavenly Father. I see it in the way He speaks to my heart through devotions. I see it in the people that He sends in my life to speak over me, and to encourage me along the journey. I see it in the doors He opens (or shuts) when I fully trust Him and stop relying on my own wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Can I confirm what you’ve probably already been thinking? Waiting on God is HARD. His plans are usually different than ours – His ways are usually different than ours. But guess what I’ve discovered? His plans are ALWAYS better than mine. I encourage you to trust the process of waiting. I encourage you to learn the lessons that He has in store for you. LEARNING TO WAIT I want to share a few verses that have become my go-to for waiting and trusting my Heavenly Father: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; Psalm 37:7a NIV The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom of not giving us everything we ask for in the time that we ask it. Thank you for teaching us these invaluable lessons that become life long lessons and extend not only to other parts of our lives – but that we can also share with others. Father, teach us how to wait well upon You, knowing that you can see the beginning from the end, and you have good things in store for us.
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Kaysi, I knew God put this on my heart yesterday for a reason. If was from my quiet time in the morning. Suddenly the words were flowing on my journal pages. That’s how I knew it was something I was supposed to share. I love your post from 2020. It is so similar! Love how God works, and brings just the right messages at the right time through friends. Like you did for me just the other day! Love you, friend! Happy Mother’s Day! 💕
Happy Mother’s Day Kelly! I was thinking this morning how God has blessed me over the years with my family and the prayers that are daily lifted up. So thankful for you and am looking forward to our time together today. Love you😘
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Oh, me too! I’m so thankful for you and Ken! Words can’t even describe. Love you too, and looking forward to today!