I hate waiting. In America's instant gratification society, I don't believe that anybody really likes to wait these days. But I am learning to wait. I am edging toward 30, and I have waited for years for the right woman to marry. While I have had many good relationships, none of them were a perfect fit. And I know that God has put a desire in my heart to be married and given me a promise that it will happen in time. And I am really getting tired of waiting.
That is why Pastor Carter's sermon this morning really resounded with my current struggle. He talked about waiting on God and when we rush in to try to help God fulfill His promises to us. The text we covered this morning was Genesis 16. It chronicles the decision by Abraham and Sarah to try getting a son through their slave girl Hagar. While it may have seemed a good idea at the time, it caused all sorts of problems and even impacts the world today. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael who is the father of the Arab people.
Sarah grew to despise Hagar and her son. Because Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands, it produced pain and misery. Eventually, Hagar had to flea for her life. Sarah became upset at Abraham. The whole thing caused a struggle that affects the world today as Arabs and Jews struggle to co-exist on the same piece of land in the Middle East.
God eventually came through on His promises. But it was according to His timetable not that of any man. Although God is not a slacker when it comes to fulfilling His promises, many times He calls us to wait. God does not get in a hurry. But He works at a pace that will birth faith in His people.
Pastor Carter said, "The best things of life are going to come when God Himself delivers them to us." I know that to be true, yet I struggle to believe it sometimes.
Oh Lord, help me to trust in Your path, Your plan and Your timetable. You know that my heart longs to be married to a godly woman. You know that I desire to have a family. You know that I want to be joined with a woman who is reminiscent of the godly wife spoken of in Proverbs 31. Give me the strength to trust in You as I wait. I know that finding a good wife requires me to look. May I not be slack to do my part. But may I never do more than I should. May I not try to help You along a bit if things are not progressing on my timetable.
Protect my wife and may I find her at the right time. Keep her heart pure and devoted to You. Fill her with Your Spirit and make her a radiant beauty of Your light and love.
Thank You for promising me a great hope and future. All good things come from You. And You said it was not good for Adam to be alone. Then you created Eve. I want to wait for Your Best. May I know her when I see her. And may she recognize me too. Amen!
