7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to
me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face,
Lord, do I seek.”
You and I do not like to wait! I read about an irate
woman upset because she was asked to wait six minutes for her French fries to
cook. The audacity! She determined this injustice was personal and verbally
abused the young attendant for her incompetence and bigotry before the entire
establishment. Berating the innocent worker did not cause her fries to cook
faster. She simply chose to wait poorly.
Unfortunately I have personal examples of making the same
choice. I have been annoyed with slow moving lines, irritated in traffic, and
accusatory of those who do not seem to understand the importance of my needs
being met before theirs. I, too, have behaved badly toward others when asked to
wait.
Lately my patience has been tested as I wait to hear test
results. I try to trust God and His sovereignty to work in my life according to
His perfect timing. Unfortunately my record in this area can also be found
wanting. I have questioned God’s faithfulness, sulking, crying and losing hope
that He cares for me. Does God really love me as much as He loves those around
me who are not waiting on Him to move? Maybe He is not going to do what He
promised? How long must I call out to Him and there be no answer? This waiting
causes me to wonder if God is still speaking, skeptical of whether He is ever
going to act.
When our waiting causes us to question like this, we are
in good company. Hannah finds herself waiting on God to act in her life; and
there is no guarantee He will respond to her waiting with what she desires.
Instead, Hannah waits in uncertainty and even disgrace; ridiculed and tormented
by her rival. However, we see her refrain from going ballistic and faltering in
her faith. Instead, Hannah chooses to wait well.
In the heart of her distress, Hannah does what you and I
should learn to do. Hannah clings to the Father. When we are asked to wait,
instead of losing our patience or abandoning our reliance on God, we should cling
to Him.
Dear Lord, help us to cling to You through all of life’s challenges.
Help our patience be strong so that we can be a testimony for You in
everything. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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