The Royal Wait

Ladies, last night's study was good. Of course, it always is. I find it amazing and truly "awe"some how our God's timing is so perfect. When I would think during the past 10 days or so, I would seek God's face and purpose for my "trial" so to speak in my health. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon catching up on some missed lessons in my Bible study. Ladies, clearly in His word He showed me His faithfulness and His presence during these trying times. He further confirmed my convictions through Beth's presentation last night. God is about His timing...what is perfect for our life experiences and situations.

I hate to wait for anything. If I order something in the mail, I want it here tomorrow. If I want to start blogging, I don't want to have to reboot this old computer. I generally hate to wait for something that I am ready to do NOW. I don't mind waiting to see the doctor. I don't mind waiting for some things at all. I like to read or talk during these times. However, if I am ready to speak, receive, or accomplish something, I don't want to wait. I don't want to practice "patience". I have learned to endure and wait with a somewhat Christian attitude but in my human nature I don't like it. I guess I am better about waiting patiently in checkout lines, etc. now because I was once taught that to practice "impatience" is truly a sin of pride. Why is it that we feel we shouldn't have to wait? Why is it okay if someone else has to wait? Who are we that we should have everything we want at our finger tips or in a snap? So, I took to lesson to heart but on occasion I choose to have amnesia and forget that impatience is pride because I really am in a hurry and you have no right to make me wait.

Here’s what I learned last night. Of course, I am going to share it with you. I can’t be in this conviction all alone.

We just finished chapter 5 of Esther. Beth was reviewing this past week’s study with us and focused on “God’s timing”. Esther had the scepter held out to her by her husband, King Xerxes. She could name what she wanted up to half the kingdom and she would receive it. We learned more about what half the kingdom meant Biblically but I won’t address that now. Esther requested that the King and the nemesis Haman to a banquet. At this banquet, the King asks Esther again what she desired and it would be given to her. Esther “waits” to give her request and asks that the King and Haman return for yet another banquet. This is where we stopped. Next week we will see what happens.

Beth urged us like Esther to practice the discipline of “waiting”. She asked us to check ourselves to see what is “driving” us to be impatient. What are our motives or our expected result of the “why” we are waiting? She reminded us that the culture we live in teaches us impatience.

Hello? Is this not true? We are into faster and instant gratification. Yet, she also charged that “If we don’t wait upon the Lord, we will not fulfill our destiny”. She cited Ecclesiastes 3:7 …a time to be silent and a time to speak. This is where it hits home, girlfriends. We may have our opinions, advice, and encouraging words, but we must wait for God’s prompting and His perfect time to deliver. We shouldn’t be ready to just pop off. I took this to heart last night. I get so frustrated with Tim sometimes I could cry and just dump my disappointments and my advice how to be a “grown-up”. What good would that do, if it was not in a Godly way and in a perfect time when Tim would truly be receptive and I could deliver my words in a loving, motherly manner. Beth states that sometime the words sound right but they don’t taste right. She reads to us in Job 34:2-4 that “...the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.” Sometimes we have to hold (our tongues) and wait for someone else’s time. With Queen Esther, it wasn’t time for King Xerxes to hear her request, not was it time for Haman.

Beth tells us that women have been given the gift of influence. We must use this gift so to speak wisely. Queen Esther was most likely practicing this gift. I have reminded myself that Queen Esther before she even saw the King had fasted and prayed for 3 days. Wow! How sweet our words and actions be if we practiced waiting, especially if we sought the spiritual disciplines of fasting and prayer. Beth confirmed my thoughts by stating “There is power in Wisdom and Waiting.”

Friends, the best timing is God’s time. We were left with the following scripture to remind us of the strength we receive when we wait on the Lord.

Isaiah 30:31 (NKJV)
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

I pray today as Beth prayed last night

“Lord, cause me to wait on you.”

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Have a blessed and “patient” day. acf