Friends, I would like to talk to you today about ‘learning to wait’. Sometimes Jesus informs us something is going to happen, but when it doesn’t happen immediately we lose faith and we stop believing it will happen at all. Let’s have a quick peek at the Bible for a example.
Matthew 25:1-13 “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
Let’s have a quick look at another few examples in the Bible. What about Mary and Martha? Jesus delayed before going to see Lazarus, Jesus had a lesson in mind, He knew He was going to raise Lazarus, but Mary and Martha didn’t, they had to wait in faith (John 11:1-44). There’s Abraham and Sarah, yes Isaac finally came along but what a wait that was (Genesis 21:2). Noah and his family were in the ark for seven days before it started raining, that would have taken a bit of faith (Genesis 7:10) and what about David? He had been told he was going to be king and he was running for his life away from Saul (1st Samuel 20:33). There are plenty of examples of delay and waiting in the Bible, but the actual event these people were waiting for did happen and it is the same for us today. It is very easy to read the examples in the Bible and just simply say “that’s nice, it worked out for them”, but friends it is no different for us today. Jesus has said “I am coming, stand ready, prepared” and like God’s people in the past we can believe that it will happen. It might not be today, or tomorrow but soon the events foretold in history are going to burst upon the scene. We need to learn to stand ready to jump into action but prepared to wait for God’s time to act.
We all have to learn to wait for various reasons personal to each of us. Some of us just have to learn to have faith in Jesus and believe His word. I believe Jesus when He says “I am coming, this is really going to happen” but waiting and not straining for the next ‘section’ is something most of us have to learn. Some of us may be asleep, thinking that heaven is a long forgotten pastime. Still there are others straining for the ‘finish line’ because of some pain personal to them, yes I understand the feeling “the next section might be easier”. Friends, I believe that is a dangerous mind set to be in. Straining for the next section will bring bitter disappointment and despair as the next section will have its own set of problems. Please don’t look to the next section to relieve you of this section’s sufferings, there will be problems in the next section also.
Friends, what I’m trying to say is “please don’t lose heart because it hasn’t happened today”. Heaven’s timing isn’t necessarily in tune with ours and just because a event doesn’t happen immediately after the promise is issued, it doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen at all. Jesus has said He is coming, Jesus has sent us warnings to stand ready, prepared, please friends don’t lose heart because it hasn’t happened today.
Friends, I plead with you today to join me, stand ready to jump into action but prepared to wait and don’t strain for movement to solve today’s problems. I know for a fact that we can rest on Jesus, I have felt His power upholding me and I can see from experience that He is more than capable of carrying us home.
Friends, Jesus loves us dearly, He will walk beside us but right now He is just asking us to wait standing braced for the fight, standing ready and prepared, He is coming.
Amen.