How Long Must I Wait, Lord?

By Shern Godwin
Staff Writer

CBN.com --

And the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables that they may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2: 2, 3)

Have you ever been given a vision by God that seems like it will not come to pass? The waiting turns from days to years. I, too, am at that place in God. I am waiting for the fulfillment of His promises spoken to me.

God may have given a word to you about the salvation of a loved one, about going forth in your ministry, about a new home, about a financial breakthrough, about a godly mate, about healing for yourself or someone you know, or about a new business venture. Whatever the vision He has put in your heart and spirit, know that He will bring it to pass in His timing.

God is not a man that He should lie; nor the son of man that He should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

I have learned in my walk with God that He answers in three ways: Yes, No, and Wait. The answer "Wait" is sometimes hard for me to comprehend. How long must I wait, Lord? God responded to me by His Holy Word:

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

I am learning that the waiting process is not all bad. In this process God is molding me to become more like Him and making me ready for His promises. He is stretching me in my faith and allowing me to trust Him more, regardless of how the circumstances seem to be playing out in the natural. I am surrendering daily and waiting for the promise.

Recently, I had a year that proved to be one of those seasons of truly waiting on the Lord. I had my routine mammogram in March of that year, and once it was done, I was so glad that it was behind me -- or so I thought.

One day I received a phone call from the nurse who told me that my mammogram didn't come back normal. I was told by the doctor that I needed to have a biopsy because there was a suspicious growth.

Never had I been faced with a situation like this and I began to cry out to God. Prayer went forth on my behalf as fear tried to conquer me. I thank God for the prayers and encouragement of my family and the household of faith.

The biopsy was finally done after what seemed to be weeks of waiting. The test proved that I would need to have surgery to remove the growth. This led to more waiting and not knowing what to expect. I committed myself in the hands of the Lord. God showed Himself mightily to me.

A few weeks after the surgery, I was told everything was fine and the growth was benign. God indeed is a Healer. Although the waiting throughout that entire process was not pleasant, my faith increased. I have learned to really trust in the Lord. Today I know with surety that there is nothing impossible with God. He is faithful and will deliver you on time.

As a sister in the Lord, I encourage you as well. As you are waiting for His promise to you to be fulfilled, let Him be glorified through you. As you are continue to trust in His perfect timing, though it tarry, wait for it. It will surely come to pass. It will not tarry.

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