God, have You heard my cries? Do You see my situation?
I feel abandoned… But You say You are with me always,
and that You answer those whose hearts are set upon You.
So I wait. I trust. I worship You, Lord…while I wait.
Series Focus: “Resurrecting Hope in the Midst of Life’s Storms”
There’s a particular “storm” I experienced years ago. I had done all I knew to do to pray and stand in faith for as long as I could remember. In some moments, I thought the breakthrough had finally come! But then other devastating moments occurred, convincing me the answer – the rescue – the deliverance – still had not been fulfilled.
Day after day, week after week, even year after year, I waited and endured. Many times with patience – fully trusting God. Other times, not so much. The pain, the struggle, the disappointment, the heartache brutally wore me down. How could I face another day, standing in the same hope I’d been clinging to for so long, with seemingly no help from my God whom I’d diligently sought and selflessly served? How could I endure another moment of this torment? How much longer could I wait for my prayer to be answered? How many more tear-stained pillows and sleepless nights?
You may be in a season of “wait”. You may be wrestling with doubt and unbelief, feeling like your prayers have fallen on deaf ears. You may be at a breaking point, losing hope in the God who loves you perfectly. In foolishness, many times we become blinded by our own expectations. We think the answer looks one way, and then we miss the cues – the breadcrumbs – God drops along our paths. As impatience broods, we feel abandoned and become angry. Sometimes, we jump in to solve the issue ourselves. As the wait prolongs, the fight of faith wanes. We grow weary and weak.
Know this: the wait is not a game to God. He’s not toying with our hopes, dreams, and desires.
God is faithful, compassionate, full of mercy, and provides powerful grace that displays His perfect strength exactly at our weakest points. His love for us is true, steadfast, enduring, and with us always. He rescues, keeps, protects, delivers, heals, and yes – hears our EVERY cry. But He doesn’t just hear our cries. He answers them in His perfect wisdom and in His perfect time.
We don’t fight God. We fight the good fight of faith. We wrestle against powers of darkness. Jesus warned us of trials. He gives life abundantly. But, there is an enemy who steals, kills and destroys. All the more we need to stir up our faith so that we can stand strong when trials present themselves.
Psalm 91 is an amazing encouragement as we wait for the answers we need from God. Take some time to read and study the entire Psalm. Meanwhile, here are some scriptures to encourage us as we endure seasons of “wait”:
Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
…they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)
Trust God relentlessly; be unwavering in your faith in Him; and worship Him while you wait. Make your dwelling place – the place you abide – to be the Lord and His presence. Guard your heart from anything opposing His truth. Hold fast to Him in hope, love, and assurance. He is the great Protector, Defender, Provider, Restorer. Be patient as He works out the unseen for you and your situation.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Hebrews 10:23; James 1:2-8, 3:17; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 27, 31:24, 33:20, 39:7, 42, 46, 62, 91, 107; 1 Timothy 6:12; John 10:10; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Ephesians 6:10-20; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 40:31
