How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13

Whether waiting for deliverance or for an expectation to come to fruition, we are driven to:

• Questioning, as the feeling of a fading away of His promised abiding presence takes hold; or
• Introspection and sometimes sorrow-filled hearts as we see others living apparently in more favorable circumstances.

This ought not to be so. In the places of questioning or faith-sapping introspection, let the period of waiting drive us to prayers, to the God who alone is able to steady our grip and steps so we do not fall (verse 4).

Are you waiting for a:

• Healing that is consuming scarce financial resources;
• Job after years of costly investment in studying;
• Restored troubled marriage; or
• Fruitfulness in child-bearing or some other godly desire,

remember the words of the wise man in Proverbs 13:12 – hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled in a tree of life. Stay away from comparing your ‘lot’ with others who appear to be doing well or better. You are unique, so is God’s plan for you. As the timing of fruiting differs for every seed, so is it with working out of His plan for each of us and you must trust Him to bring your expectation to pass (verses 5, 6). In the place of trust, let worship flow – Philippians 4: 6,7 – knowing that the outcome of waiting shall be for your good.

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