Often, we ask God for something. And often, we wait for some time before we get it. How do we become more patient towards God especially when we ask Him for something and He doesn’t seem to hear?
This entry has been inspired by past events in my life wherein I prayed and asked God and He answered me with a resounding ‘YES’ and then He told me to wait. I thought I heard His ‘yes’ wrong, hence my series of ‘relationship’ entries such as:
- What I think about girls who have had past relationships
- How to Surrender a Relationship
- 3 Steps on how to move on from a Relationship
- Why you easily fall in love after a breakup
- Five Things I tell singles who asks “Am I ready for a relationship?”
- 11 Wrong concepts of Love
- Why Loving someone too much can be Dangerous
- How to Overcome Insecurity when Courting or being Courted
- 5 Things to keep in mind on how to Love a person of the Opposite Sex
But now I’m so graciously blessed with that which I prayed for. I want you to have the same patience especially when you hear a ‘YES’ from God.
God is the great Giver
Everything comes from God. He is the Maker. Creator. All things come from Him and are created for Him – for His glory and purpose. Everything we have, everything we own comes from God.
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:3
The three Answers
When we pray and ask God, there are only three answers He gives: “Yes”, “No”, and “Wait”. More often than not, we don’t like the latter two. But God doesn’t always give us what we want. He knows what is best for us. He knows His purposes for us. And sometimes, we complain and lose patience with God when we want something from Him really bad – especially when we thought we heard a ‘Yes’.
A man who was very Patient with God
Let’s look at the life of Abraham. His was a life of huge promises. God told Abraham that he was to become the father of many nations – how was that gonna happen when he didn’t have a single heir? Neither son nor daughter was born to Abraham because his wife.
“I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others.” – Genesis 12:-2
“Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran…” – Genesis 12: 4
Here, we can see that Abraham got a ‘YES’ answer from God regarding descendants because God Himself promised so. Abraham was 75 then.
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children…” – Genesis 16:1
It’s not that Sarai didn’t want to bear children for Abraham on purpose (during those days, there were no contraceptives). She just really wasn’t able to. Sarai was barren.
“But Abram answered, ‘LORD All-Powerful, you have given me everything I could ask for, except children. And when I die, Eliezer of Damascus will get all I own.'” – Genesis 15:2
Abraham desired to have children to pass on his possessions.
But God gave Abraham a promise.
“”I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” – Genesis 12:2-3
No, you do not become a nation when you are just one guy.
“No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” – Genesis 17:5
God told Abraham that he will be a FATHER of many nations. He wasn’t even a father of one kid. Many nations? Things looked quite bleak now that Abraham and Sarah were way past the ideal ‘conceiving’ stage.
“Abram was ninety-nine years old when the LORD appeared to him again and said, “I am God All-Powerful. If you obey me and always do right, I will keep my solemn promise to you and give you more descendants than can be counted.” Abram bowed with his face to the ground, and God said: I promise that you will be the father of many nations. That’s why I now change your name from Abram to Abraham. I will give you a lot of descendants, and in the future they will become great nations.” – Genesis 17:1-6
Things were looking bleak because now, 24 years have passed since God told him he was going to have descendants.
“Abraham, your wife’s name will now be Sarah instead of Sarai. I will bless her, and you will have a son by her…” – Genesis 17:15-16
How come Abraham was patient with God’s promise? It has been 24 years since that ringing ‘YES’ from God. It turned out to be a long’ WAIT’.
Patience with God comes with Faith
When you believe that God will bring to pass that which He promised, then it changes everything. Knowing God’s character removes all doubt that He can do all things. The truth of the matter is, GOD CAN. And if He says He will, who can say otherwise?
Abraham believed God because he knew that God is God. He keeps His promises. Someday, somehow, in God’s way and timing, it will happen. Abraham was patient with God because he believed in Him. Abraham was called a man of faith – not only because of this but with a lot more he has put at stake for God. He waited, he was patient and he knew that it will happen.
“Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” – Genesis 21:2
He was rewarded not only with a resounding ‘YES’ but with the honor of blessing the whole world through his descendant Jesus Christ.
Patience with God involves faith.
Are you waiting on God?
