Patience and Trust
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“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).
Today’s technology lets us connect with anyone at any time. As if telephones and email weren’t enough, we now have texting and Twitter to add to the mix. We have to make an effort NOT to be connected. We expect that when we want a response, we’ll get one quickly.
Recently, my grandparents were late arriving to a family get-together. We worried that they were lost, driving aimlessly, trying in vain to locate the restaurant. Naturally I pulled out my cell phone to call them, but quickly realized my grandparents don’t own a cell phone.
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It’s hard to remember a time before we had the ability to be in constant communication and get instant feedback. And maybe this helps explain why it can be frustrating to not hear a clear word from the Lord, especially in times of distress. We call, and seemingly there is no immediate reply. How do we respond when, amidst deep discouragement, we don’t receive the instant divine feedback we’ve been conditioned by our culture to expect?
At times like these, it’s helpful to remember a simple but powerful fact that God is with us always. Always (Matthew 28:20). If you are attempting to serve Him faithfully and fully in faith, He is pleased with you, even if you see no immediate results and have no earthly reason for confidence. (Hebrews 13:16)
We are “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1) because we place our trust in God, who has demonstrated His trustworthiness based on His divine character.
We must be patient and trust that God is in control. Although we cannot know definitively why things happen since we know now only in part, we will someday know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12) and in the meantime we have God’s word, the Bible, to instruct and enlighten us as much as God chooses to reveal.
We may not see the dark cloud’s silver lining, but if we are following God faithfully, we should harbor no guilt or fear. Instead we can be confident in the wisdom and love of our Lord, whose loving sacrifice of His Son cleanses us of all sin and fills us with His Holy Spirit, full of mercy and grace.
Oh, and my grandparents were a little late arriving, but were able to find the restaurant on their own. Unfortunately, in the meantime we lost my mom, who rushed out of the restaurant to look for them.
Questions: How can we know that God does hear our prayers? Why do you suppose His answer sometimes is “Wait”? During this time of waiting, how can we be encouraged to keep on trusting Him?
About this Author Darren Hewer
11 Responses to “Patience and Trust”
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darrin, thank you for this devotional. I know what i believe in my heart, this softened heart. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Living Bible. So that’s how I know that God does hear my prayers. Because the Bible tells me so. It’s not for me to understand His reasoning, simply trust Him in this reasoning. Whilst I wait, I continue to study daily the written Word and pray and give thanks to everything that comes in my life. I’m encouraged because I belong to Him.
God does answer all prayers in His own time. We just have to have faith and wait.
This was just what I needed. Work has been horrendous right now and I was at that place where I was ready to just walk out yesterday. I even picked up my pictures and brought them home with me. I have prayed and prayed for a new place but now I see that maybe I must be there or the time is not right just yet for me to move. Either way, I have to stay. But it sure is hard. Reminds me of parts of that movie “The Perfect Stranger” (the Christian Movie). Sometimes I have a hard time just staying still long enough to hear what God wants me to do. I know He will open doors for me. I just have to learn to be patient.
This was an awesome devotion today. My husband left me about seven weeks ago and my desire is to have him home and wrapping his loving arms around me and telling me he loves me. I pray and pray, and have many good friends and pastor praying also with me. I know and believe that God has a plan and it will all work out if I just wait. Thank you Lord Jesus – you are extremely wonderful to us all!
This was a great devotional for today for me. I have being asking and asking and asking, and praying and praying and praying, and I know the Lord is listening. But of course, it is never on my timing. Then I read a devotional like this one and God is just confirming to me that HE is here right now for me. And that waiting is what I need to do and not to abruptly go do something foolish. Thank you Lord.
This year I have lost my marriage, my home and what I considered the security of my family. I have walked this battle with my husband for years and yet still feel the love for him I have always had. It is coming to an end; I don’t know the future; I don’t know what my husband will do or not do. I do know and believe Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. I struggle and I don’t always pray or seek Him when I should but I know He is always there and I find myself back in that place talking to Him, praying and asking for Him to forgive me and soften my hard hurting heart. When I ask for confirmation; He blesses me with it. I feel like Gideon and repent for my unbelief, my doubt. Yet each day, His goodness becomes more evident; He is here; He has a plan and I trust Him more even not knowing what is in store for us. I identify so much with that instant answer…I needed this reminder very much. Thank you.
Sometimes the things that we have to wait for end up being the most precious to us. Instant gratification items – things we obtain on a whim -are often not very fulfilling. But things that we save for, wait for, pray for are usually more gratifying in the end. I know that when I have spent a long time agonizing in prayer over something and then God answers that prayer, I have great assurance of the answer being His will – a gift from Him. And I come out of the experience “closer” to what God wants to see in me.
Faith and trust is what we need this day without it is impossible to please him.
This was right on time for me because I have been dealing with being patient. My husband has Alzhemier and at first it was hard to deal with but thanks to God He has shown me with His love how to trust and wait. Thank you.
knowing that God hears our prayer is a matter of faith Jesus said He would never leave nor forsake so we have to trust and believe that. When Father God says wait it is only because He knows what is best for us and that includes the time. While we wait we can be praising and thanking for the victory!
thank you ! Just what I needed today ! Trying to center on my Bible study for BSF (studying John) and overwhelmed with all those on my heart in real need of prayer….having difficulty focusing and meditating on HIS WORD.
Bless you for serving Him, Ruthann