Most of us are waiting for something...more money, God's direction, a job, an opportunity, the house to sell! But this morning in my time with Jesus, He opened my eyes to HIS plan for the waiting...

Isaiah 30:18 tells us, "...The LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all who long for Him." (NASB)

In this verse the words translated 'long or longs' in the NASB is from the Hebrew hakah, which carries the meaning to wait longingly in order to accomplish one's purpose.

God has purpose in the waiting...more than we know!

In our physical world, waiting often has little purpose...you wait for a house to sell, for example, because the person who will buy it is still searching for your house. The wait is for the goal of the house selling.

In God's economy, waiting is very different. His purpose is not the closing of the house, but rather your heart and character in the midst of the waiting. His purpose is the waiting. In order to have a right perspective, we must change our focus and perspective to match up with His.

Rather than focus on when such and such happens, you and I need to focus on Jesus' work in our life while we wait. What is the Lord teaching me in and through the waiting period? Are there idols I am holding on to, He is asking me to destroy?

God does not need time in order to sell the house, provide money, bring opportunities to you...He uses the time HE dictates to refine you and me in the longing.

What are you waiting for? praying for? Is it taking longer than you'd like? Let's seek to change our perspective and ask, "Lord, what are you changing in me through this?" He has such a perfect, well timed plan, dear one, let's rejoice in that!

Copyright Mariel Davenport