Hope in God
Sometimes, the LORD does not respond to our prayers immediately. He wants us to wait. We are anxious and it is difficult for us to sit and wait. We want instant answers. Many times, God wants us to wait. It develops our patience and our character. God is dependable and worthy of our trust.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:24)
Text: Lamentations 3:22–26 (NIV)
21 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.
29 Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope.
30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.
31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Insights:
We are used to quick arrivals of our orders (from Lazada or Shopee). We always want instant gratification. We’re accustomed to receiving things quickly, and we become frustrated by delays. We now live in a world accustomed to instant gratification, and waiting can be difficult. But in the spiritual realm, patience is still rewarded.
When the book of Lamentations was written, the Israelites were mourning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army, and they faced a series of challenges. However, in the midst of chaos, the writer boldly affirmed that because he was confident that God would meet his needs, he would wait on Him (Lamentations 3:24). God knows we’re inclined to become anxious when answers to our prayers are delayed. Scripture encourages us by reminding us to wait on God. We don’t have to be consumed or worried because “his compassions never fail” (v. 22). Instead, with God’s help we can “be still . . . and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7). May we wait on God, trusting in His love and faithfulness even as we wrestle with longings and unanswered prayers.
Feb 23, 2023
