I remember as a child how I looked forward to Christmas morning with great anticipation. I wanted to get to bed early in hopes that Christmas morning would quickly come. With maturity came the knowledge that there was no jolly old st nick dropping off Christmas presents. Nevertheless, I have found that my life still consists of waiting. Yet the waiting is not always accompanied by joyful anticipation but fretful concern and there are often no predetermined eves that I can pinpoint on the calendar for the promises and desires of my heart I long to see fulfilled.
I want to wait in hope rather than fear and dread.
I want to wait in peace rather than plagued by the poor-pitiful-me-blues.
I want to wait in power rather than just barely making it through the day.
I want to wait in confidence rather than full of complaints.
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalms 130:5-6(NIV)
Thank you so much, Wanda. You have stated on one of my favorite verses. There are times, like when we approach the end of a year, that we feel out of time and pressed about expectations, but this is a good reminder of HOW WE ARE TO WAIT. No worry. No stress. No doubt. No fear. No regrets. Blessings and abundance to you.
You are right this time of year can cause a bit of anxiety when we look at all the things that left unfinished. May you have blessing and abundance as well.
Wanda, this is the second post I have read this morning about waiting! I’m thinking that God wants me to hear this! Do you know Priscilla Shirer? She’s the daughter of Tony Evans, and she is a speaker in her own right now. I once did a Bible Study with her book, “One in a Million.” This particular lesson really stuck with me – She pointed out that our part of the equation when we petition God for something is deciding and believing with our whole hearts that He is ABLE to do what we’re asking. That He CAN. HIS part of the equation is whether He will or will not based on His perfect love and sovereignty.
I loved that.
And I think that is the best way to wait. Wait with full confidence that God is able to do anything and everything – so we wait with hope. And, knowing that He is able, we can also yield our will to His perfect will – so we wait with confidence and peace.
Amen to that.
GOD BLESS!
Sharon, what a coincidence (God appointment) that you would mention Priscilla Shirer. Just the other day my Aunt forwarded something from her blog. I have read several of Tony Evans books and have heard of his daughter but haven’t really read any of her material. I’m thinking this may be someone I need to look into more. We each have a part and the frustration comes when we try to take on things that are outside of role. Thanks for sharing Sharon.
My desire too 🙂 the joy of waiting. ..
Finding the joy in waiting is not something I have quite mastered but oh I how I want to.
Yes. Yes, yes, yes.
Oh friend, I needed this big gulp of nourishing life
so much and I thank you.
In fact, I thank you for all the ways
you’ve made my life
lighter and brighter this year.
You are a gem and I’m grateful that our paths
have crossed.
Much love and joy and grace to you,
Jennifer
So grateful for you too Jennifer. You always brighten my day.
This may be the first time I’ve read that verse. Yes, I still need to get through the entire book of Psalms. I need to get through the Old Testament! A goal for 2014. But, wow, I really loved that verse and loved your heart that accompanies it. This really was beautiful…I so want this too.
Merry Christmas, Wanda.
Love you,
Beth
Thanks Beth. Hope you have a Merry Christmas too. Certain verses jump out at me at different times.
Thank you for encouragement to wait in hope vs. fear and dread. This seems to be a season of that being my struggle. Blessings to you for a hopeful Christmas!
Thanks Amy same to year dear. I really enjoyed your devotionals.
Wanda,
I was just thanking the Lord this morning for all He brought me through and all that He taught me in the waiting! Just when I wanted to give up, to run, He would nudge me to stick with it, to push through and now I can look back and see why I had to wait, why I had to endure. I’m so incredibly blessed and thankful for the “waiting”.
Thanks for the reminder of how to wait, always with expectancy and with our hope steadfast in Him!
God bless!
Lanette
Lanette, I haven’t always found the waiting to be a comfortable place but I must admit that it has been a place that I have learned much and grew closer to the Lord. Many blesses to you.
Waiting in hope, peace, power and confidence — this is what I want for the coming year as well. Blessings!
Barbie recently posted..Taking Off The Old, Putting On The New
Oh me too Barbie!