As I am writing this article, I have less than twelve hours before it’s due. I don’t know my topic. I’m still awaiting divine inspiration. So, I’ve decided to write while I wait.
I guess this would happen to me— my life is one big waiting experience right now. I’m waiting to graduate, waiting to get married, waiting for a job—I’m waiting for everything.
And there’s another thing for which I’m waiting—I’m waiting for a drought to pass. I feel empty and tired and unspiritual. I don’t hear God speaking to me or feel Him with me and I don’t know where to turn while I wait.
And so, it is that I’ve entered a season of learning patience, whether I want it or not. To be honest, I’d rather skip the lesson.
I do know though that to skip the lesson not only defeats the purpose, it is contradictory. How can I become patient if I’m too disinclined to wait through the drought or to wait through anything else for that matter?
I began thinking about all of the Bible stories about people waiting on God. Many stories come to mind from Job to the Israelites to Abraham. All of their stories were used to God’s glory, no matter how alone they felt or how patient they had to be.
Often I hear the words of Psalm 77:7-9 echoed within my heart. It says, “Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?” .
I question whether God has turned His back on me or if I have done something so terrible that He will forever ignore my plea for forgiveness. When I feel distant from God, rather than just being patient and praying, my mind runs rampant and I can’t find rest.
The beautiful part about Psalm 77, the part that I really love, is that it doesn’t stop with those questions—it keeps going.
The author continues on to say in Psalm 77:11-12, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds” .
This verse reminds me that when I feel like God is never again going to turn His favor my way, I can look back on all of the things that He has done for me. When I remember the wonderful things that God has done in my life, I know that He is for me and that He always has a plan, even when it’s not evident at the time.
While reflecting upon God’s deeds of the past, the author of Psalm 77 says, “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen” (Psalm 77:19, NIV).
Through my drought and my waiting, I may not see God’s footprints, but I can be sure that He is there, working even through the parts of my life that seem to be dry and unproductive. Here lies my reassurance: God has been faithful in the past and He knows what He’s doing. The best that I can do is just rest in that.