With patience, you will receive God’s best
You’ve been praying and praying, and haven’t yet seen any results. Circumstances seem to be at a standstill and you don’t understand why. An opportunity, for which you are striving, hasn’t come to pass, and it doesn’t seem fair.
Now, you’re disappointed, disheartened and tired. And you just don’t know how much more you can handle, for your life appears to be going nowhere fast. “Perhaps, God has forgotten me,” you ponder, “Maybe I should just give up,” you say, as your faith is wearing thin.
But don’t get discouraged and quit because you think you’ll never receive what you really desire in your life. Be patient. And with hope and confidence, ‘wait.’ Do not miss God’s best plan, because you are in a hurry, rushing head-strong along. God usually does things in uncommon ways and on a different time-table than we might expect.
Some time ago, I read a story somewhere about a young man who had just graduated from college. The young man had hoped that his father, who was a successful businessman, would buy him a new car as a graduation gift.
Months earlier, the young man had spotted a shiny, red vehicle in a car dealership’s showroom. When the young man saw his father over vacation, he enthusiastically told him all about the vehicle, the model, color and the outstanding features. “Dad… this is the gift that I want most of all,” he expressed.
Graduation Day came; and after the festivities, the father asked his son to come into his study. Tenderly, the father hugged him and declared, “I am proud of you. You’re going to be very successful, and I love you.” Then, he handed his son a beautifully wrapped box. Curious, the young man partially unwrapped it and found a fine leather Bible with his name embossed in gold on the front.
Disappointed that he didn’t get the new car, the young man uttered to himself in self-pity, “My father must have forgotten me.” And talking himself into defeat, he said under his breath, “I guess I will never get what I want.” With that, he left the Bible in his father’s study and walked out of the house.
Many years passed, and the young man moved across the country to pursue his career. He seldom came back to his hometown. But realizing that his father was getting on in years, he made plans to go visit him over the summer holiday. Yet, before he bought his plane tickets, he received news that his father had passed away. And since the father had willed all of his possessions to his son, the young man needed to come home immediately to take care of his affairs.
Arriving at his father’s house, the young man’s heart was filled with sadness. He walked into the study, sat at his father’s mahogany desk and began looking through his important papers. Suddenly, he saw something familiar on the table next to the telephone. It was the half gift-wrapped Bible.
With tears in his eyes, he took the wrappings off of the gift. He opened the Bible and a key dropped from within its pages onto the floor. The young man reached down; his hand trembled as he picked up the key. Attached to the key was a small tag with a car dealership’s name.
His mind reversed in time, and he realized that it was the dealership that had the red, fancy sports car in the showroom. On the back on the small tag, was that date of his graduation and the words: “Paid in full. Love, Your Father”
How often do we miss God’s blessings, because we walk away and give up too soon? Do we forego God’s best plans by jumping to conclusions? Or are we impatient and can’t see past our own limited perspective to the great things God has planned for us in our future?
I like the Scripture that says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.
God has not finished His work; He has not done all He wants to do for you. He’s not given you all He desires to provide. There’s more… so much more to come!
One afternoon, I recall I was at the field sitting on the bleachers watching my daughter play softball. She struck out twice. Then, she went up to bat for the third time, pushed past her fear of failure and hit the ball far into the outfield. She ran to first base. Next, she darted to second base and as she ran to third, I heard her call out to her coach, “I’m getting close; I am almost there.”
Likewise: “You’re getting close…you are almost there.” And so, get your enthusiasm back. Wait with joyful expectation. Keep on trying to reach your objective. Don’t stop just short of success. Today can be the day that you receive your breakthrough.
So, if your prayerful desires are not immediately being met, turn to God and trust in His power and ability to intervene. God loves you; He is acting with divine strategy on your behalf. And He’s in the process of leading you to greater joys, blessings and accomplishments, which will be more rewarding than you ever dreamed possible.
Look around you today; don’t miss God’s blessings!