Bible References: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12

When you and I find ourselves staying in the same place until an expected event happens, or until someone arrives, or until it is our turn…we may be in for the spiritual battle of our lives. Because we really don’t know how it’s going to turn out, our thoughts become vulnerable to enemy attack.

We observe Abraham succumbing to such tactics while he waited for God to come through on His promise of an heir. Abraham manipulated the wait time by fathering a child with another wife (Genesis 16:1-4) who was not the child God had promised. The waiting-to-be King David also floundered, escaping to the land of the Philistines, thinking that if he did not, Saul would eventually find and kill him (1 Samuel 27:1). Even King Jeroboam faltered in his waiting by creating his own religious system, surmising that if he did not, people would return to Judah under King Rehoboam, contrary to God’s promise to him (1 Kings 12:26).

Suffice it to say, waiting for God to will and act in our lives is not all unicorns and cotton candy. Extended languishing for what appears improbable is the perfect environment for taking matters into our own hands rather than lifting them up in surrender to His sovereignty.

Marking time in uncertainty is precisely when we must keep our eyes on Christ no matter what happens. It’s here that taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ moves our theology into our reality. During the torrents of spiraling doubt, thundering frustration, and piercing divine silence, you and I should focus on what we know.

We cannot be sure what Hannah was thinking as she joyfully journeyed home, but her prayer in the following chapter lends us a clue. She knew the God in whom she believed. Here Hannah expressed gratitude for His power, justice, and His unparalleled goodness.

Like Hannah, you and I do not know for sure how it’s going to turn out. But we can know in whom we have believed (2 Timothy 1:12). We can trust that He has a purpose for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). We can rest assured that our God is not a quitter. He finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6). And most certainly, we can know that He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:8).

It is this knowing that enables us to get up and move forward while we wait…

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Bible Reference: 1 Samuel 1:12-28

A few years ago our family took a road trip across the Midwest. To save time, we drove through fast food restaurants and ate while continuing on the journey. One particular occasion we drove into the line where we waited our turn to order. Within moments, a voice from inside the menu station asked us to, “Order when ready.” We did so, moving forward to the next window where we anticipated receiving our food. There we waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, Chad peered into the lit restaurant to discover—we were all waiting on something that was never going to come. The restaurant was closed! The lights were on and there was a motion-sensored recording at the menu station offering to take orders. But no human was actually there. No food was coming.

When our waiting feels like a line of perpetual uncertainty, without answers—much like Hannah’s waiting, there is a danger of losing faith that God is listening. Such long spans of time tempt us to question the character and faithfulness of God. Taking in our surrounding, sometimes there is no evidence He is answering our prayer. We wonder if He will come through for us. In these critical moments, you and I need a strategy to meet such precarious predicaments in victory. Hannah, again, waits well.

Hannah clings to the only One who can help her. She resolves to believe He will bring to fruition that which she awaits. Then she does something most of us don’t. In the middle of her waiting, Hannah chooses to rejoice. Before it is her turn, prior to seeing any evidence that God will answer her petition, Hannah chooses to praise God…anyway.

Before it is your turn–before anything you have asked comes to fruition, praise Him! When you cannot see through the waiting; when encouragement does not come; and your enemy pummels you with vicious fiery darts until you find yourself in a desperate place—rejoice anyway!

If He makes you wait, there is divine purpose in it.

May we not miss the opportunity to wait well.

Cheri

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