The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Waiting for His faithfulness

 

The other day Patty and I were at a Christian worship concert. It was a beautiful venue with powerful worship. Towards evening Patty was getting hungry for nachos and apparently everyone else was as well. I finally inched toward the window and guess what? Two young girls were trying to cut the line and move in front of me. With Christian music playing in the background I blocked them out feeling justice must prevail. As I waited for my order to arrive I felt the nudge of the Spirit convict me of my impatience and my own struggle with waiting. Truth is deep down I struggle with waiting, be it in a long line for nachos, sitting in traffic, or on the promises of God. I have grown up in a culture that loves quick results and instant gratification.

Yet as I continue to ponder Romans 4-5:1-11 and the life of Abraham it is overwhelmingly clear that waiting is at the heart of a trust relationship with the Father. Abraham was 75 years old when God made His big promise to him about being the father of a “great nation” (Genesis 12:1-3). It was a 25 year long wait before Isaac, the promised son was born, talk about a long wait! The same story is repeated again and again in Scripture; the Father makes a promise and then the waiting begins. But why? What is His reasoning for making His children wait? Again in Romans God displays two important reasons for the wait. I will share one this week and have you wait until next week for the other reason.

Reason 1: “…..we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..…”          (Romans 5:3-4). The Father uses the struggle of waiting to build into our character a passionate hope in Him alone. The wilderness of waiting strips us of self and creates a total dependency on the Father and His faithfulness. This is the place the Father desires His children to live from, a place where He is our only hope for this life and the next.

I wish I could say I’ve mastered this “waiting thing” but I haven’t He continues to shape His character within me. But as I learn to wait in line for His promises I also learn to cry out for the Spirit of the one who waited perfectly in His suffering. Jesus, the True Son, not only shows me how to wait on the Father, but has cleared the way through the cross, resurrection, and His present reign to wait with me. As I wait all I need to do is keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. He is my hope and He gives me hope! The Father sealed me with His precious blood; He has sealed you with His precious blood. AND this is a guarantee that every promise will be fulfilled in His perfect time.

Are you struggling today as you wait in a seemingly endless line for His promises? Gaze with me at the One who stands right next to us; keep your eyes glued to His beautiful face and trust that He will lead you into the presence and the promises of a loving Father. Join me in meditating on Hebrews 6:13-19 this week.

10 replies
  1. Ray Haakonsen
    Ray Haakonsen says:

    Wow my brother from another Mother…how this blog spoke to me again….as I’ve been in what for me is an ëxtended period of 4 years now…waiting on His promises….in the times where I get so low I feel hopeless….I have to recall His faithfulness of the past and how He has come through over and over again. The enemy would have us believe God doesn’t care and that He has left us alone…however we know He says He will never leave us nor forsake us.

    That scripture you mentioned from Romans 5:3-4 “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..…” seemed easy to read as we stepped into missions years ago…but has become real along the way….’Wilderness’ is not easy, but is part of His plan for us…….remembering the Story is actually all about Him, reminds me that this affliction is tiny compared to His Huge plan for mankind!

    Thanks for reminding me!

    Reply
    • Tim Spykstra
      Tim Spykstra says:

      Thanks Brother from another mother!
      Your faith and trust continues to help me in my journey of seeking to follow in His steps!
      We rejoice with what He has ahead!
      Bless you!

      Reply
  2. Miguel Zaldana
    Miguel Zaldana says:

    I’ve been heading back from LA to Ontario this morning and just pulled over to drop a card for our friends son for his birthday. Traffic is heavy and I was praying for patience cause just as pastor share Im not patient in 10 fwy traffic . As I pulled over I did check my fb, something I rarely do, but this time it was from God as I have to keep driving in heavy traffic.
    God bless you pastor Tim , the anointing still at work in you.
    Thanks for the Scripture you shared

    Reply
    • Tim Spykstra
      Tim Spykstra says:

      Thanks for sharing Miguel!
      I pray that God continues to use you and your beautiful family to shine forth His glory as you walk in faith.
      Blessings upon you!

      Reply
  3. Michele Bennett
    Michele Bennett says:

    Pastor Tim,
    Our whole trip we just returned from was all about His faithfulness. Waiting on Him. We were reminded over and over again of how HE has always answered in HIS time and that HIS answers are always better than what we think or imagine. While we were in Zion NP the clouds moved in over one of the mountains we were trying to take a picture of. I was going to drive on yet a still small voice told me to wait. Almost as quickly as the cloud came in it was gone and the mountain was still there! HE is our Rock and although sometimes our vision gets cloudy while we wait, HE is still there, ALWAYS faithful.
    Blessings my friend.

    Reply
    • Tim Spykstra
      Tim Spykstra says:

      Hi Michele,
      Love the imagry of the cloud and the mountain, praise God our Mountain is always with us even when we can’t see Him.
      Glad your trip was a blessing!
      God has good things ahead!
      Blessings

      Reply

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