Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 15:28, ” See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me. ” 

Background

As you sit back and notice the people around you, those passing by or standing in line in front of you, several things probably jump out at you. Among them is something that we have been hearing from our doctors, the media, and just about every news source available, and that is that we Americans have a weight problem. But as bad as that is, with our high BMI numbers, or our disproportionate waist-to-hip ratios, or our excessive resting heart rates, there is another issue plaguing our culture that needs even more attention. And that is our wait problem. Each of us, as individuals in this American society, loathe to wait. Maybe not in every single instance. But for each us, I am certain there are times and circumstances when waiting even the slightest bit is enough to push you right to the edge. If you have trouble seeing this impatience in yourself (which I strongly doubt), just watch someone in the checkout line, or in their car in the turn lane, or on hold on the telephone. Our life is full of delays and inconveniences, and we all know that. But for some reason, we still have our areas where the irrationality takes over. 

Application

And our spiritual lives are no different. We understand that God operates on His own timing, and that it is perfect and without delay. But we can still find ourselves waiting in our version of the plains of the wilderness, yet thinking that here will be our final destination. Originally we accepted our situation as temporary, perhaps even necessary. But somewhere along the way, perhaps as those around us got an answer from God, or our unspoken expectation of when we would get direction was exceeded, we became fed up with the wait, and viewed our wilderness as our home. David knew the callings of those close to him, even as he wept and headed to the plains. Friends and compatriots were given a clear directive even as he left for the unknown. But wait is what he did. And so, waiting might be your calling. And if it is, don’t turn the opportunity into a problem. Wait with a heart of faith and hope. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, determine to wait with gratitude and thanksgiving that God is able to manage your schedule better than you are.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words