Provision in the Waiting
“The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.”
-Psalm 23:1
Picking up from last week’s devotional regarding seasons of waiting for “fruit,” I want to continue the thought that even when you are waiting for God’s provision, He is already providing!
Like the analogy of the fruit trees, we know that He is working behind the scenes to prepare you and the circumstances for a specific “fruit season;” but, likewise, in the fall and winter seasons, He hasn’t stopped providing– it just might not be what you are looking for.
If you’re wondering, God, why aren’t you answering my prayers? Why don’t you listen or care or do something?, then consider changing your thought patterns to gratitude for what God has already done and given to you. Instead of believing that you are lacking something and focusing on that, choose to believe that God has already given everything you need for the season you’re in.
In my case, my desire is to start a family, but months and months have gone by. Each time, I cry and my prayers resonate with the ones above: God why are you withholding? Are you angry with me? Why don’t you care?
But God started to renew my mind that He is not withholding. He is absolutely not angry with me. And He does care. At the same time, He showed me that He is providing even while we’re waiting. He is providing more time for me and Matt to strengthen our marriage and enjoy the time we have together. He is providing time for my body to heal from multiple bulging discs. He is providing time for me to serve others in capacities that will eventually be limited when we have a child.
Maybe you are waiting for financial provision or healing in your body and you are asking the questions: God, where are you? Don’t you see my desperation?
In all these situations, God is providing opportunities to grow our faith. James 1:2-4 says,
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
When we are forced to wait for God’s provision, it provides us an opportunity to exercise and expand our faith. Like a muscle, it won’t grow without the pain or discomfort of being worked out. The truth is, it’s easy to praise God when everything is going our way, but what requires faith is when circumstances are bleak.
Along the same lines, what if the way in which God can provide requires pain?
One of my favorite stories is the resurrection of Lazarus. From everyone else’s perspective except Jesus’, it was confusing and seemingly unloving that Jesus didn’t rush to Bethany to heal Lazarus before he died. The One who Mary and Martha trusted didn’t show up in time and they wept with the pain of losing their brother. But Jesus’ waiting was intentional. It provided the opportunity for Him to perform a miracle that resulted in many believing in Him. Had He not waited, the glory of God would not have been revealed in the same way. Additionally, it provided an opportunity for Jesus to empathize and weep with his friends. This scenario revealed the humanity of Christ and that, in our pain, He comforts and sympathizes with us (2 Cor. 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:14-16).
The greatest of all stories exemplifying provision through pain and waiting is Jesus’ own death and resurrection. In order for Jesus to redeem us, He had to go through the pain of the cross and bear the sins of the world. Then, those three agonizing days in the tomb likely confirmed to all of His disciples that the story was over. Through the pain of Jesus being murdered and waiting those three days, God’s glory was revealed to His disciples and hundreds of others in ways that couldn’t have been done otherwise. Jesus’ pain provided a way for us to be reconciled to God.
Finally, because faith grows through pain and waiting, it’s reasonable that a core tenet of being a Christian is waiting for Jesus to return! Our faith hinges on the hope that He will come back to rule and reign and that we too will have everlasting life. And while we wait, He has provided the greatest provision to His believers: His Spirit!
No matter what waiting situation you find yourself in today, His Spirit is who gives you the power and strength to endure. Psalm 73:25-26 says,
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
In sum, God always provides opportunity for gratitude, growth, and preparation while we wait and His presence which never leaves us and assures us of our eternal hope.
Take a Moment:
Where can you see provision despite feeling lack?
Do trials make you bitter or do you trust that God is doing a work of faith in you?
Consider memorizing or meditating on this verse this week: 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Embracing what God has already provided is what it means to live by faith.
-Alina