Habakkuk says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour” (Hab. 3:17-18)
By Michael Adekoya – Dear Reader, the Bible says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong; be strong…let your heart take courage” (Psa 27:14). My friend, a time will come in your life time, if you haven’t experienced it, when God will put you in a holding pattern. When God puts you in a holding pattern, it is not just a question of having enough faith to receive His promise, it is also a matter of having enough “spiritual staying power to stay airborne until the promise comes to pass without bitterness or compromise; without grumbling, worrying or complaining; without weariness or weakness; without giving in or giving up; without exercising impatience or anger.
In this day and age, you need to carry enough spiritual fuel (spiritual power and strength, spiritual oil of joy) to handle delays and wait for clearance. After God had delayed Noah long enough to accomplish His purpose, “…He sent a wind…” (Gen 8:1).
My friend, we all go through holding pattern – waiting period – when it will seem like God has forsaken us, abandoned us or keep silence on our matter. Is that where you are today? Are you thinking the enemy is winning? What you need at your waiting period is the wind. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, the Bible says, “…a sound came from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind…” (Acts 2:2). Did you hear that? Anytime the wind comes from the presence of God, it will blow away all hindrances or obstacles. It will rekindle faith in you, energize you and remind you of God’s promise. It will demolish the spirit of fear, impatience, worry, hurry, complaints, anxiety; even the spirit of bitterness, heaviness, weariness or discouragement that makes people wants to quit or give up.
My friend, what has God promised you? Are you still standing on the promise or you have walked away from it due to past experiences? What are you trusting Him for? What’s God calling you to? Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen, or that God has forgotten you or changed His mind. God word is His bond just as our words should be our bond. When He made a promise to Abraham, He fulfilled it. He promised Hannah of a male child and He did it. He never fails. If He promises it, He’ll do it! That’s why you must hold on more firmly to the promise you have received or the truths you have heard, so that you’ll not be carried away (Heb 2:1). You’re a work-in-progress in God’s hand! Wait! You’ll come out shining like gold.
My friend, you should believe that God is working in your life even when you don’t feel it or see it. Films are developed into pictures in the dark room! Listen! “Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.” (Eccl 3:1) There are seasons in your spiritual, physical, marital or financial life too. Sometimes you will have a short, intense burst of growth (springtime) followed by a period of stabilizing and testing (fall and winter). You may say, “Michael, you don’t understand. What about this problem, betrayal of trust, loneliness, addiction, pain, bitterness and hurt I’m facing and would like to be removed fast?” Listen! It’s fine to pray for a sudden miracle, but don’t be disappointed if the answer comes through a gradual change.
Over time, a slow, steady stream of water will erode the hardest rock and turn giant boulders into pebbles. What is the point of Hannah giving birth to Samuel when Eli was still in position? You don’t need to help God or force things to happen. The timing may not be right for Him to get the ultimate glory and for you to get the ultimate benefit. Wait! “Let patience have her perfect work in you, so that you may be matured and equipped wanting nothing” (James 1:4). Impatience is a sign of immaturity. My friend, while you are waiting, God is working. I pray that God will give you the spiritual staying strength and power to wait with patience. You may say, “But Michael, it is easy for you to say this. I’m frustrated. When will it be?”
My friend, that salvation of your loved one, that deliverance from bondage, that victory, that healing, that husband, that wife, that child, that solution; that job, contract, or book; that promotion, restitution, revival or restoration; that favour, prosperity or blessing…the list goes on…is coming. It will come at the appointed and set time. Wait with patience! But in the meantime, ask God to give you the power to love God and people, power to forgive yourself and others, power to resist temptation, power to overcome sin, power to live a holy life, power to obey God, power to serve Him, power of faith, power to pray with expectation, power to wait without fainting or wavering. My friend, I don’t know what you’re going through now but I like to tell you that, even in the times of frustration and waiting, God is still thinking about you. He is working everything out for your good (read Psa 8:4, Rom 8:28). His delays are not denials. What you need to do while you are waiting is this – “Rejoice in the Lord!” Begin to praise and worship the Lord everyday as from today for what He’s done, for what’s doing now that will manifest soon and for what He will continue to do because His absolute will shall come through for you this year 2022 in Jesus’ name. The Lord will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy in Jesus’ name. I pray that your expectations shall not be cut off in Jesus’ name. “But Michael, it is not easy!” Is that your response?
My friend, that is why you need the Holy Spirit – the power of God. He will comfort you, help you, stabilize you, energise you; He will put faith, hope and courage in you. He will help you to wait! Strength will rise in you as you wait upon the Lord! He will open every closed door, even new doors! I can testify to that. “Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. Behold, I AM doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa 43:18-19). Did you hear that? That’s what He is saying to you now! God is doing a new thing in your life. It is now time to forget any past betrayal, disappointment, divorce, rejection, abandonment, defeat, failure, frustration or mistake. Instead ask God for the spiritual staying strength, power, courage, hope and patience to wait for His promise in your life, family, church, ministry, business, community, city and nation. “Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Hab 2:3). Remain blessed!
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