SEASON OF WAITING

“I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is something that I'm not good at in life - that is "waiting."  The irony is this: It seems though that I've spent a lot of my life waiting for things to happen and come my way.

I have hung on to this promise more than once...

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We may be waiting for specific fulfillment of God’s plan in our lives which God promised to us during our prayer.

•    It might be your job promotion
•    Salary increase
•    Dream house
•    Spouse (for single)
•    Healing
•    Salvation of loved ones

Waiting is not an easy job.  It is difficult and hard and even annoying.

This passage teaches us Three Ways To Wait:

1. Wait Prayerfully (Build Up Your Faith)

“I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”” Luke‬ ‭21:36‬ ‭NLT

•    Pray expectantly (Faith)
•    Pray consistently (Effort)
•    Pray accordingly (Base on God’s Word)

2. Wait Actively (Build Up Others)

“Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.”Habakkuk‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

•    Read God’s Word
•    Meditate God’s Word
•    Spread God’s Word (tell everyone else)

“Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.””
‭‭Job‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

3. Wait Patiently (Build Up Your Character)

“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

•    God’s plan may come slowly
•    God’s plan will come steadily
•    God’s plan will come surely

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

•    Noah waited 120 years until it began to rain
•    Abraham waited 99 years before the promised son (Isaac) came
•    Moses waited 40 years in the desert before the promise deliverance of Israel from Egypt took place
•    Joseph spent several years in prison before he became 
ruler of Egypt
•    David waited until the death of Saul before he became king

Even Jesus waited for 30 years before He started His ministry.

I like the attitude of Prophet Habakkuk when he said:

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Perhaps you are in a season of waiting right now.  Don't give up.  Hang in there.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and ask Him to give you the needed patience to get through this.

May God give you much grace today.  Remember that God's delay and is not necessarily denial. It's just "not now."