Waiting Upon the Lord: A Season of Faith and Patience
Seasons. There are seasons for almost everything. In Ecclesiastes 3, we find what we know to already be true: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…(Ecclesiastes 3: 1 KJV)”
“Turn! Turn! Turn!” was written by Pete Seeger toward the end of the 1950s. Most of the lyrics are adapted word-for-word from the first eight verses of the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes. This song became an international hit in late 1965 when it was adapted by the American music group, the Byrds. Almost everyone has heard this song and knows that there is a time and a season for everything. There is a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to pluck up what is planted, a time to kill, a time to heal, a time to break down, a time to build up, a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to dance…
There are seasons that begin when the Holy Spirit speaks to us in dreams and visions about plans for the future and for our lives. Sometimes, when this happens, we embark on dry periods. These are times when we are waiting for what we know we have heard to actually come to pass. Sometimes, we can create logical scenarios and strategies for how the “thing” will come to pass. Sometimes, we can barely comprehend the promise because it is so big and we are seemingly so far away from it ever happening.
Faith definitely requires patience to produce results. Faith usually requires logic to be thrown out. Faith is full and complete trust in God, that what He said is the Truth, and that He cannot go back on his word (ever). If God said it, he means it. He will fulfill it. In Isaiah 55:11 (KJV), it says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Having faith in what God said is a key to seeing the result of the promise. We also have to be patient and fully trust in God alone. He is our only source. We must wait and seek the Lord and wait and seek the Lord. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Isaiah 40:28 – 31 (KJV) is a passage I have found to be powerful in times of waiting. It talks about the all-powerfullness of God, how that He is everlasting and that He does not faint and grow weary. Verse 31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
When we believe what God says and put all our trust and faith in Him, the promise will come to pass. Even when we cannot even begin to comprehend how this “thing” will ever come to pass, we cannot give up. In this season, put your faith in God. His word will not return void, but it will prosper and bring the thing into existence. I like the last part of Isaiah 40:28 (KJV). It says, “..there is no searching of his understanding.” My own logic will not get me there. I can’t even comprehend how God will do it, but I know He will.
We don’t have to be embarrassed or ashamed while we wait for fear that it will not take place. So many of the people in the Faith Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11), waited and obeyed some instructions that seemed almost insane. Can you imagine being Noah and building a boat the size God instructed? Can you imagine it taking hundred years or so to build it while everyone laughed and made fun of him? Can you imagine being Abraham waiting for years for Isaac? And finally after being a hundred years old seeing the baby born? And then God asking for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the alter after all that faith and patience and waiting?
But… and the rain did come at just the right time and Noah and his family were spared.
And…the ram did come at just the right moment to be the sacrifice and Abraham did go on to be the father of many nations.
And…at just the right time, you will see your promise come to pass.
Isaiah 49:23 (KJV) says, “…and thou shall know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.”
Written by: Crystal G.H. Lowery
Published: September 16, 2018
Copyright © 2018, Based On Faith and Crystal G.H. Lowery
I just read two of your blogs for the first time, and I praise the Lord for the words He has given me…they were just what I needed during this time of waiting for the incredible, seemingly impossible promises God has spoken to me to come to pass. Thank you, my sister in the Lord!