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Have you ever found yourself wondering when this is going to happen? It’s frustrating, right? We live in a world that wants everything now. Instant messages, next-day delivery, and fast food. Our society thrives on immediate results and, at times, demands it. But when it comes to God’s timing? Well, it’s a whole different ballgame. The waiting period can feel uncomfortable, uncertain, and sometimes downright discouraging. But what if I told you that this season of waiting isn’t as wasted as it might seem?
God’s timing is often different from ours, and it can be tough to understand. We might feel like we’re stuck, like nothing is moving forward, or worse, like we’re being forgotten. However, waiting on God’s timing is an essential part of the faith journey. It’s in those waiting moments that our hearts are refined, our trust is tested, and our faith grows stronger.
Let’s dive into this because while waiting can be a challenge, it’s also a rich opportunity to deepen our relationship with God.
The Struggle is Real
Waiting is one of the hardest things we can do. Think about it—how many times have you prayed for something and wanted the answer right now? Whether it’s a new job, healing from an illness, a relationship, or a financial breakthrough, we want to see results immediately. And when we don’t get it? It’s easy to feel anxious, frustrated, or even abandoned.
God understands this. He knows the struggle of waiting because we are human, and our nature desires quick fixes. But here’s a truth we often overlook: God is not bound by our timetable. His ways of doing things are far grander than anything we could imagine, and sometimes, the very waiting we dread is the thing that’s setting us up for something greater.
Think about the story of Abraham. God promised him a son, Isaac, and Abraham was excited. But years went by, and the promise seemed impossible. Abraham was 75 years old when he received the promise, and his wife, Sarah, was 65. Fast forward 25 years, and at the age of 100, Abraham finally held Isaac in his arms (Genesis 17:1-17). Imagine the tension of waiting all those years! Yet, those years weren’t wasted. During that time, God was shaping Abraham’s faith, teaching him patience, and preparing him for the fulfillment of the promise. In fact, it was during the waiting period Abraham’s faith became a model for us today.
Abraham didn’t know it at the time, but every moment of waiting was an opportunity for God to refine his trust in His perfect timing. Similarly, in our own lives, the waiting period is part of the process of growing deeper in our relationship with God. The question isn’t whether or not we will wait—it’s how we wait.
Resurrection of Jesus: God’s Perfect Timing
Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled God’s promise of salvation. Isaac, the child of promise, was part of Jesus’ lineage, showing how God’s plan through Abraham wasn’t just about one family but about bringing forth salvation to the whole world (Matthew 1). It was God’s preordained plan.
Just as Abraham was willing to offer Isaac in obedience, God gave His only Son, Jesus, to be the perfect sacrifice for humanity (Romans 5:8). God spared Isaac’s life. However, Jesus—the Sacrificial Lamb—freely died for us and accepted the death that we deserved. Jesus gives us freedom, hope, and eternal life through His resurrection.
This is a reminder that God’s timing was perfect. Jesus came at the right time to save and redeem us, proving that His promises are never delayed or wasted. As humans, we see the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross to give us hope even in the most difficult situation in our lives. Jesus offers us freedom and eternal victory by suffering, dying, and fulfilling God’s promises.
Through Christ, we see God’s power to bring life and hope even in the most difficult situations. Jesus offers us freedom and eternal victory by fulfilling God’s promises.
“But, Lord, I Need This NOW!”
There are times when waiting can feel unbearable, especially when we’re faced with a season of uncertainty. Perhaps you’ve been praying for a breakthrough and questioning whether God is even listening. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Countless people in the Bible struggled with the same doubts.
Consider David, the shepherd boy who was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel. This promise came to David when he was just a young man. Imagine how excited David must have been to know that he would one day rule Israel. Yet, the journey to the throne wasn’t as quick as David might have hoped. In fact, it took years, and during that time, David faced numerous challenges, including running and hiding to save his life from King Saul, who felt threatened by David’s anointing.
The waiting period was not wasted time. God used David’s time in the wilderness to prepare him for his future role as king. He learned about leadership, humility, and depending on God in the most difficult circumstances. Even when it seemed like David was far from the throne, God was working on his heart, building his character, and strengthening his faith.
The same is true for us. We may not understand why the answers to our prayers are delayed, but God knows what He’s doing. The waiting period isn’t a sign of God’s denial—it’s a time when He’s working on something deeper within us. As we wait, God teaches us lessons that will be essential when the answer arrives.
God’s Delay is Not a Denial
Sometimes, we mistake delay for denial. Just because God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we desire or the time we expect doesn’t mean He’s forgotten us. Think about the story of Lazarus in John 11. When Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, He didn’t immediately rush to his side. In fact, Jesus intentionally stayed where He was for two more days before heading to Lazarus’ home. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
To the people around Him, this delay didn’t make sense. They were confused and even upset. “If only You had been here, my brother would not have died,” they said (John 11:32). But Jesus had a bigger plan. He knew that Lazarus’ death would serve as a powerful moment to show God’s glory. When Jesus finally called Lazarus out of the tomb, the miracle that followed was a powerful testimony to God’s power and timing.
This story reminds us that God’s timing may not line up with our expectations, but that doesn’t mean His plan is any less perfect. Sometimes, what looks like a delay is actually part of God’s grand design. We can trust that God sees the bigger picture and that His plan is always for our good.
Why Waiting Matters
You’ve heard the saying, Good things come to those who wait. Well, that’s not just a catchy phrase—it’s a biblical truth. There’s something powerful that happens when we learn to wait on God. During the waiting period, we experience a deeper level of trust, reliance, and dependence on Him.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This verse highlights an important principle: waiting on God isn’t a passive act. It’s an active waiting period of spiritual growth, one where we place our hope and trust in the Lord, knowing that He will renew our strength. The longer we wait in faith, the stronger our faith becomes. Instead of being depleted, we are renewed. Instead of becoming weary, we soar. Instead of being doubtful, we trust and believe that He will come through on our behalf.
Waiting also gives us time to reflect, to seek God’s will, and to refine our hearts. During this time, God may ask us to focus on our character, to surrender areas of our lives to Him that we’ve been holding onto too tightly, or to develop patience and perseverance. All of this happens during the waiting period, a time that may foster a transformation of self.
Embrace the Wait
While we don’t always know why we have to wait, we can trust that God is doing something good in the process. In fact, waiting can be one of the most powerful experiences of spiritual growth. It’s where we discover God’s faithfulness in new ways, where our trust in Him deepens, and where we realize that His plans are so much greater than our own.
Instead of rushing through the waiting seasons, what would it look like to embrace it? To surrender our need for control and trust that God is working in the background? Instead of feeling frustrated, we can choose to wait with expectancy, knowing that God will fulfill His promises when the time is right.
Reflection Questions:
- Is there an area of your life where you’re struggling to wait on God’s timing? What emotions come up when you think about waiting?
- How can you embrace this season of waiting and trust that God is working behind the scenes to fulfill His promises?
- What are some ways you can actively wait on God—whether through prayer, worship, or serving others?
Scripture to Hold on to While Trusting God’s Timing
As you wait, hold on to these powerful words from Scripture:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Final Thought:
Waiting on God’s timing isn’t easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. Be mindful God’s timing is not dependent on our timing, lifestyle, and/or desires. He knows better and the perfect time to deliver your desires. It’s in the waiting period that we see His faithfulness, grow in our trust, and learn that His plans are always better than ours. Importantly, His timeline does not fail and is better than ours. During the waiting period, keep praying, keep trusting, and know that God’s perfect timing will never fail you.
