“So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.”
I am too often tempted to be impatient in my Christian walk. This is the time when I know the truth of God’s word and the direction of God’s leading, and when I’m even obedient to that call. Then nothing happens. What went wrong? Did I misunderstand? What about others that seem to be getting blessings I long for? The temptation of trying new and improved methods, latest spiritual fads and competing in the spiritual race are attractive.
Elijah went to where God wanted him to go the word said “He stayed there”. He didn’t keep going looking for what God promised, he waited in obedience to see the next step God had.
is hard. The problem with waiting is that we feel as if there is more for us to do. The struggle with trust is that we want to be in control again to accomplish what needs to be accomplished until we are reminded and taught the lesson that God must do His work in us. That is far more important than our doing our works for Him.
A personalities don’t wait very well. There is a time to run and a time to rest. Those times are determined by the Lord. When one waits one isn’t “doing nothing.” He is focusing on the Lord and reminded of His sovereignty. He is in prayer. He is in expectation of what is ahead not trying to force God’s hand, but watching for what He is doing and learning contentment that He is a work in ways we don’t know.
I am thinking of the experiences of Moses, I am reminding how much of faith is learning to trust in the waiting times. There are many examples in Scripture of barrenness while anticipating God’s next step. On the journey to the promised land God’s pillar of fire and cloud moved and stopped. When it moved the people picked up camp and were on their way. When it stopped, they set up camp and waited. Certainly, times of rest were important. Certainly, preparation of heart and soul were needed during those waiting times, but can you imagine the impatience they had waiting for the blessings they were promised? God wanted them to focus on Him more than what they were about to receive.
As much as I hate those waiting times if I am yielded to wait and not use my efforts to do God’s work. My faith is strengthened in the waiting and trusting times. Moses was in the wilderness 40 years before the Promised Land was realized. Jacob was 14 years in Hebron working before he received his wife and family. Paul was 3 years in training in Arabia before taken with Barnabas to Antioch.
With such important work to be done doesn’t it seem to be a waste of time to wait? Then we read Psalms 127:1-2 “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
what you know God wants you to do? Wait and watch Him do His work in and through you. Elijah did just that.
