How to patiently wait on God
One of the tall tasks we all face is cultivating patience as we wait on God. Why aren't I spiritually growing faster? Why can't I succeed like some of my friends? Why can't I get past this phase in life?
Why can't you do something right now, God?
I don't know about you, but this Waiting On God study has stretched me. Today's topic of patience is one I especially need to hear.
Andrew Murray writes, "Patience … honors God, and gives Him time to have His way with us. It is the highest expression of our faith in His goodness and faithfulness…. It is the token of our full consent that God should deal with us in such a way and time as He thinks best. True patience is the losing of our self-will in His perfect will."
When I read this paragraph, it made me realize patience isn't about me grinding it out while I wait for God to move.
In fact, it's not about me or you at all. It is "losing of our self-will in His perfect will." Giving up my timeline for his. Laying down my desires at his feet. Realizing my long-term plans are often futile exercises in personal will.
Murray directs us to a verse that holds the secret to acquiring this patience:
"We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father" (Col. 1:11-12a).
The context of this verse is Paul's prayer that the Colossian believers would know God better, heed his will, and remember how the Good News has changed their lives forever.
Waiting is what God deserves from us. He's done so much for us already!
Can you and I wait a little longer? Of course we can, with his power strengthening us.
He wants to help us, but he also wants to help us wait.
Waiting,
Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
LinkedIn profile | My books
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
More on Leadership Devotions
- How to courageously wait for God (by Tom Harper)
- Have you made a list of what you’re waiting for, and surrendered it to God? (by Tom Harper)
- Now is the time: The Charlie Kirk memorial service that shook the world (by Tom Harper)
- Does God have a new calling for you? (by Tom Harper)
