Article:Blessing after a long wait! | Nisy John Panicker
It’s the matter of time. No one is willing to wait for a while. Greater the degree of desire, lesser we wait. But with patience we can avoid making hasty decisions. “Patience is not the ability to wait but how you act while you are waiting” – Joyce Meyer. Bible says, “Blessed are all they that wait for him (Isaiah 30.18)”.
Abraham, the father of faith complained to God for his childlessness for which God promised him a son from his own loins (Genesis 15:2-4). Abraham waited and had strong faith that God was able to do what he had promised regardless of the physical circumstances of Abraham and Sarah. He believed that God gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not existing (Romans 4:17). At his age of 99, God appeared to Abraham and promised him a son with Sarah for the first time (Genesis 17:21). God assured his promise again in Genesis 18:10 and from this time Abraham waited exactly one year for Isaac to come. Circumstances are not a hindrance for receiving blessings from God for those who wait upon Him with faith and patience.
Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob at the age of 17 had two dreams which made his brothers hate him. Though his father rebuked him on hearing the dreams, Jacob kept the matter in mind (Genesis 37:2-11). The envy of his brothers caused much trouble to Joseph. The sufferings Joseph faced weren’t unknown to God. Though the days were bitter for him, the dreams which caused all these problems made him survive. I Peter 4:19 says, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. As the Lord was with Joseph, he prospered and the Lord gave him success in everything he did (Genesis 39:2, 3). After his tribulation period of 13 years, Joseph was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:41). It took many years for Joseph’s dream to come true but it didn’t mean that he was walking out of the plan of God. He knew that his long wait for the dreams would flourish one day. Tribulations are not an obstacle for God’s words to come true for those who wait upon Him with patience in the midst of suffering.
Elijah, the powerful prophet in Israel was merely not alone to fight against the idol worship existed then. He waited upon the Lord till it was proved that the Lord alone is God in Israel and Elijah is His servant (I Kings 18:36). The people of Israel were brought back to the true worship and all false prophets (of Baal) were completely seized. “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few (I Samuel 14:6)”. Strength of the multitude is not a matter for God’s deeds to be done for those who wait upon Him with courage and readiness in spirit.
The twelve disciples, specifically selected by Jesus were in trouble after His ascend to Heaven. But they remembered the promise which Jesus gave them before His crucifixion (John 14:16) and just before His ascend (Acts 1:8). A group of 120 people including the disciples waited in the upper room with prayers for the promised Holy Spirit. Though the disciples were empty in hearts as Jesus wasn’t with them, they waited for the Spirit of truth. As promised, on the day of Pentecost, Holy Spirit came on those who waited; to help and be with them forever. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope (Psalms 130:5)”. Troubles and betrayals can’t stop God’s blessings for those who wait upon Him and His promises.
Children of God, the bride of Christ – though she is darkened by the sub waits hopefully for the coming of her bridegroom. Forefathers and prophets searched intently and with greatest care for this salvation; and the Spirit of Christ in them made them to wait for the one who is coming in a while. “For, in just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay (Hebrews 10:37)”.
Dear brethren in Christ, “Blessed are all they that wait for him (Isaiah 30.18)”. Throughout the ages, God has rewarded our waiting with both materialistic and spiritual blessings. In these last days, let’s set our hearts on things above and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1, 2). “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4)”. Our long waiting is for our Christ who will come in the near future. Let nothing in our life be a hindrance to receive the great blessing!
-ADVERTISEMENT-