The Lord Waits

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' " ~ Matthew 23:37-39 (NKJV)

... what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God ...?
2 Peter 3:11-12 (NKJV)

Though I've for the most part "learned in whatever state I am to be content," I never stop waiting for things to change. I am entirely content sitting eight feet from the fire in my wood stove, but I also wait for the bite of frigid winter to give way for spring's gentle warmth.

It fascinates me to think that the Lord waits for us before He acts, for this hints at the power mankind has to move the hand of God. Prayer is perhaps the most apparent example of our influence with the Almighty, but there are clearly many other ways we affect Him.

Such is the nature of a relationship. We carefully watch and evaluate and respond to each other. We self-consciously wait for the responses to ourselves. In our relationship with God, we are painfully aware of waiting upon Him. How amazing that the Lord waits upon us as well!

Everlasting God, even time waits for no man—how is it that You should be so patient with puny mortals? Please move in our hearts, that we will readily respond to you. Please call us to times of prayer to express our love, to hear You speak, to repent, to share our hearts, and to move Your hand.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy