Why Do We Wait?

Last night we had the special privilege of having some dear missionary friends in town. Our church took a mission trip to Spain a couple years ago and we went to the Basque region and helped at a Farmhouse that is being renovated to use for ministry purposes. The couple heading up this ministry, Andy and Mimi, were the ones that were here visiting. Most of our mission team members were able to share a meal with them before prayer meeting. What a blessing to hear about the work that is continuing there and how God is at work. Their work there in Spain has progressed very slowly. After ten years, they only had a handful of people attending their church services. God used those years to teach Andy some special things that he preached to us in prayer meeting.

I’ve always loved Joseph and his story in Genesis. I’ve thought of him as a man of integrity and godly character, but I’ve never really considered all the waiting Joseph had to endure. Think about it – after God gave him the promises in the dreams, many years passed before they actually came to pass. The verse in Genesis 40:8 speaks of the baker and the butler: And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Joseph’s dreams hadn’t come to pass yet, but Joseph displays great faith in God! He encouraged these men by his faith in his God while he waited!

I wonder how much of an encouragement I would be to others while I was in a prison due to no fault of my own! But Andy pointed out that the reason God had Joseph wait is because he wanted to strengthen his heart and prepare him for the ministry he had for him. What a good lesson for all of us to remember during our waiting!

If you’re in a holding pattern right now, don’t doubt if God will answer your prayer, but allow Him to strengthen and prepare you for what He has planned for your life.