Waiting on God

[None]

Has anyone ever found themselves in this waiting position?

I was just listening to Charles Stanley and he says sometimes it takes months, even years to get clear instructions from God as to where He wants you in ministry and that we should wait and be patient.

Has anyone here ever found themselves waiting, knowing you were ready to serve God but also knowing God is telling you, "Not just yet" and "Stay put until I tell you where to go and when."?

[traveller]

I think that many times we do have to wait. God even gives us examples of it. Here is a quote from me from a post I did a few years ago.

Elijah is a fascinating study for me. That guy was gutsy! (is that a word?) He had a lot of rather spectacular experiences and he stood up to some rather fierce opponents. But, in the beginning of his ministry, it was a training period. God gave Elijah a word to give to Ahab, the king. God said that it would not rain in the land and there would not even be any dew. So, Elijah tells the king this and then goes into hiding. (This was not a good message to deliver. )

1Ki 17:2-7 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.

And it shall be, [that] thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

The brook dried up. I don't know about y'all, but I've certainly had my brook dry up before! Why would the Lord tell him to go there to hide when He knew the brook was going to dry up? Perhaps it was a test of obediance? Elijah was learning to be totally dependant on God alone. Perhaps God was building Elijah's faith and trust in God's word. After all, Elijah was certainly going to be put to the test when he eventually faced off with the prophets of baal. So he waited twice every day for the birds to bring him food. Can you imagine the faith that took? He had to see the brook becoming more and more shallow. He knew it was drying up. Yet he waited on a word from God on what next to do.

I find this simple story amazing. It is comforting to know that when our brook dries up, it is not necessarily the end of the story, but quite possibly just the beginning. God is good.

Of course, what I didn't say in the above quote was the preparation that the Lord was doing with the drought. It was to be sign for Ahab, when the torrential rains came. So, not only can it be that the Lord is training us as we wait, but perhaps He also is weaving a tapestry for us, jsut like He did for Elijah.

[None]

Thank you, traveller, for that wonderful story.

I hadn't thought to apply the story of Elijah to this but it sheds new light in this area.

[EricH]

Waiting is a hard thing to do. I know we are nopw waiting for God to sell our house as we just made a move in ministry to which He clearly called us. It is ver scary, but I know God is asking us to trust Him, and not in the results that would make me comfortable

[zecha51]

I am in this position now. Thanks for the post. It is hard to wait on God but the Psalms say explicitly..

"wait on the Lord!"

If we wait on Him and let Him strengthen us and give us patience, it can pay off and help us and the Lord's kingdom.

[Bro_Rick]

Has anyone ever found themselves in this waiting position?

I was just listening to Charles Stanley and he says sometimes it takes months, even years to get clear instructions from God as to where He wants you in ministry and that we should wait and be patient.

Has anyone here ever found themselves waiting, knowing you were ready to serve God but also knowing God is telling you, "Not just yet" and "Stay put until I tell you where to go and when."?

Yes I have been in " waiting position" several times. I feel this way that as christian our live are a series ofHighs,Lows and Steady periods. God does so that we grow as christian, and in our Christian Muturity.

I relate it as a long distance runner, on the down times we are running uphill. This in turn builds our leg strength and our endurance so that when we start on an open or flat plane we can do it and never miss a stride!

and we can coast on the down hill times while still growing. Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

God is always "Training us for the next long race! I hope I made some sence out of what I was saying!

[Bro_Rick]

Has anyone ever found themselves in this waiting position?

I was just listening to Charles Stanley and he says sometimes it takes months, even years to get clear instructions from God as to where He wants you in ministry and that we should wait and be patient.

Has anyone here ever found themselves waiting, knowing you were ready to serve God but also knowing God is telling you, "Not just yet" and "Stay put until I tell you where to go and when."?

Yes I have been in

[None]

If we wait on Him and let Him strengthen us and give us patience, it can pay off and help us and the Lord's kingdom.

This is my position now as well.

God has been teaching me quite a lot lately and helping me through some tough times these past few months. I can feel that He still has a lot of work to do on me but I'm going to be patient and trust in His guidance.

He knows what He's doing.

God is always "Training us for the next long race!"

Yes, I completely agree.

[Kabowd]

I'd encourage you to read the story of Nehemiah

[None]

I'd encourage you to read the story of Nehemiah

I've just finished Micah today and am midway through Nahum(chapter 3), but I'm going to reread Nehemiah because you suggested it. Thanks.

I like that prophet, very spunky and quite the warrior.