You did it. You decided to pray.

You came.

You asked.

And God said . . . wait.

If you’re waiting on God, you’ve got lots of company. Abraham, Moses, Paul. Even Jesus? Yep. In fact, if you look around, He might be in the chair next to yours. The Second Coming, you know.

So, why the waiting room? Why doesn’t our answer come now?

God’s Timing: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11 NIV)

God has a plan. A plan with moving parts. One too complex and far-reaching for us to trace. Give God time to assemble it. People, places, events—lots of things come into play. For example, when my husband first interviewed for a position in the pharmaceutical industry, he hit it off with his future boss immediately. What my husband didn’t know was his boss-to-be had already gone through the interview process, narrowed the field to several candidates, scrapped them all, and started over. The next person he interviewed was my guy. My hubby flew through the process and was hired in a matter of days. His boss, however, had to go through the process twice.

Your Prep: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (Proverbs 31:30-31)

Another reason we’re waiting on God may be us. That list of wonderful attributes in Proverbs 31? It took a lifetime to develop. God often needs to work in our hearts before He can answer our prayers. Once again, we have lots of company. Abraham waited thirteen years after Ishmael was born before Isaac, the child of promise, came. Joseph spent years in slavery and in prison before snagging the spot as Pharaoh’s second-in-command. Paul spent about fourteen years in obscurity before God sent Barnabas to get him and bring him to Antioch. Oh, and I’m here too. The thing that concerns me most as God calls me to this writing gig is that I will fail to represent Him well, that my character will crack and I will bring Him dishonor. I’m willing to sit in the waiting room while God prepares my character to honor Him at all times and in every way.

Delays: “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

For those of you, like me, who are considering “helping” God or are tempted to run ahead—don’t. Click To Tweet

God has an appointed time for your answer to prayer. Saul lost the kingship when he refused to wait for Samuel (1 Samuel 13). It’s a temptation Satan threw at Jesus as well, so watch for it (Luke 4:1-13).

Disobedience, even with good intent, will only bring delay. Click To Tweet

Stay Close: “When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.” (Luke 9:10)

Are we there yet? Waiting on God requires us to come to the Father as we continue to pray, check in for new instructions, or just sit with Him as we try to be patient. Use this time to build intimacy.

If you’re in God’s waiting room, don’t waste the time. Keep working. Follow the last instruction you received. Yield as He works on your character. Stay put and stay close. Your appointed time is coming.

Workout of the Week: Just Ask, Part 3

Memory Verse: “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

Meditation Passage: 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Just Do It: Wait for it.