April 17 I Saturday

2 Samuel 1-2

Luke 14:1-24

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”  —Psalm 27:14

I want to begin this devotion with a confession. I want to acknowledge that this COVID-19 pandemic had tested my ability to wait. Whether it is waiting in line at a grocery store or schooling children from home, the pandemic has tested my ability to wait on things. In general, I find myself thinking, how long is this going to last? I am waiting for the day when I can go to a restaurant, sit down and eat with others. I am waiting for mask-free living. Ultimately, I am waiting for all of this to be completely over.

       If there is anything we have learned in the last year it is that waiting is not easy; it tests our patience. This is often true in our walk with God as well. We may hear the promises of God, but when they take time to manifest in our experience of Him, it challenges our faith. As we become impatient, we may lose our resolve and want to take things into our own hands instead of waiting on His power.

       As we continue in our story with Abram, we find Abram is being tested with waiting. In Genesis 15:4, God affirms, “…a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” This was the first time God revealed to Abram that this promised son would come from his own flesh. What a revelation that would have been for Abram! However, when we look back at the story of Abram carefully, we will notice a pattern that unfolds: every time God blesses Abram and gives him a promise, Abram’s faith is tested right afterwards.

       For example, when Abram finally entered into the land of Canaan in Genesis 12, God revealed Himself, not only by making great promises to Abram, but also by making Himself known as El Shaddai, the God who takes care of everything. But when a famine struck in the land, Abram, his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot left for Egypt. What happened to trusting in El Shaddai, the God over everything? Also, when Lot was taken captive by the enemy, Abram went to rescue him in Genesis 14. Afterwards, Abram’s faith was tested again by the king of Sodom who promised him riches, so that the king of Sodom might have a foothold in Abram’s life.

       Genesis 16 is no different; Abram was being tested with waiting for the promised child. Even though waiting is not easy, it is essential to our spiritual growth. The question we must wrestle with is will we trust God when the promises are not materializing as fast as we want them to be? Or will we take things into our own hands?

Prayer: El Shaddai, You are the God who takes care of everything. I will confess that waiting is not an easy task. I ask that You help me to wait well. Thank You, God.