Waiting on the Lord by Michelle Lindsay, Prayer Team Leader
I want to share how one young child waited. One day a child was given two donuts as a special treat. Sugary delicacies were a rarity for him. He ate one and had already been told he could have the other one later that day. He did not quite understand how much time later meant and for him, later was five minutes. The thought of that donut consumed his mind. He started asking for the donut over and over and he could not enjoy a fun activity his mother also planned. At one point he said, “I’m just going to get the donut myself” at which point he was placed in time-out. No one was enjoying his lesson on waiting so some of the household decided to take a walk. He was asked if he wanted to go but he couldn’t hear over his continued asking for the donut. When he saw them leaving he said, “Are you going without me?” so once they reached the road, he came running out the front door. They played silly songs and danced along and as they returned, it was suggested he drop the donut issue. He didn’t so his mom helped him to let it go and wait. He has understanding, loving parents so he did get the donut later since he’s only five but everyone had a rough row to hoe during his learning to wait. How are you waiting on the Lord?
The Word of God offers the hope of many blessings as we wait on Him…
But as for me, I will watch for what the Lord will do. I will wait for God, Who saves me. I know that He hears me. He is my Lord. I say to myself, He is the reason why I can hope for good things. The Lord does good things for people who wait for Him. He is kind to everyone who looks for Him. It is good when people continue to hope. It is good when they quietly wait for the Lord because He will save them. I must be patient as I wait for God to help me. He is the only One that I can trust for help. I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the One I love, waiting as long as it takes for Him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and He will not fail me. See Micah 7:7, Lamentations 3:24-26, Psalms 62:5
God asked two different Sauls to wait, one disobeyed and one surrendered and obeyed, and the results were life-changing.
Saul, the first King of Israel was directed by the Prophet Samuel to wait but he disobeyed. See 1 Samuel 10 and 13. In chapter 10, Samuel anoints Saul King and as Saul turned to leave, God gave him another heart and all God said to him through Samuel came to pass that day. Yet, by the time we get to chapter 13 Saul has now turned his back on God. It doesn’t say he did this with complete intention; he did it through disobedience by not waiting on Samuel and presuming to offer sacrifices to God himself. In those days they didn’t have the Bible, the Word of God came through the Prophets and the people were to obey. Only the Priests from the tribe of Levi were allowed to offer the sacrifices. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. Samuel confronted him and Saul blames the people. Samuel tells him God intended to establish his bloodline as leaders over Israel forever but now the kingdom would be taken from him.
In contrast, Saul of the New Testament was transformed from a zealous persecutor of Christians to dedicating his life in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Jesus spoke to him directly and told him to go into the city where he would be told what to do. See Acts 9. Saul waited three days in utter darkness before Ananias came and prayed for him. Like Saul of old he had an immediate heart change and after he received his sight he was found in the temple preaching the Good News of Jesus. Here is an abbreviated table of events of both Saul’s:
Old Testament Saul New Testament Saul
Anointed King Persecuted and murdered Christians
Word of God came Word of God came
Heart Change Heart Change
Prophesied the Word of God Obeyed the Word of God
Disobeyed the Word of God Preached the Word of God
Persecuted and attempted murder Anointed to bring salvation (life) to Gentiles of Gods Anointed
I’ve found myself in both situations. I’ve seen dreams fulfilled. Through busyness I did not keep myself grounded by studying the Word, spending time with God and listening to sound advice. When opposition came as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9 I had no strength to fight the good fight of faith. I found myself living in darkness through disobedience and I withdrew from those living in Truth and freedom. Now through repentance and Holy Spirit’s help, I’m waiting as He leads and taking each opportunity He presents to serve Him and others by His strength and not my own. I trust Him for the outcome and turn to Him when obstacles arise. Daily, I surrender my life to Him and I ask Him to help me be a blessing to all those I encounter. He is the lamp for my feet and the light for my path and my Gift of Peace.
Are you living a surrendered, obedient life? Has your life gone downhill like King Saul or are you living a life of abundance and grace?
Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God in His Sermon on the Mount. Paraphrased, He’s asking us to lay aside everything that is taking His place in our lives and put Him first then he will lead us into the purposes He has planned for each person.