Waiting on the LORD

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:18)

Almost every New Year, I write a letter to Jesus. I usually start by writing songs of praise to my LORD. I then give Him thanks for all He has done for me the past year, and this year was quite a few life changing things, then I praise Him for each of those things. Next, I write what I would like to accomplish the coming year and what I would like to see happen. Some of the items listed are being a better steward of my money and my time, it's making more time and more quality time for writing, it's being more aware of Jesus every day and seeing Him everywhere. It's making worship a way of life. And the list goes on and on. But most of these things will not only take me wanting to be a better light for the LORD but will also take me waiting on the LORD so that I don't miss what He has for me. I love the verse above, it shows that the LORD longs to lavish me with His great gifts but that He is also waiting until the time is right. And how blessed I will be waiting for the right time, the right circumstances, the right opportunity and so on, but that also means that I have to be aware of the LORD daily so I don't miss the right time, circumstance, or opportunity and so on.

The Message tells the verse like this:

But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right - everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

"He's gathering strength to show mercy to me", says to me that it is taking all His strength to hold back until the time is right. I love that. It is taking all His strength to hold back because He wants to give me my heart's desire but the time, circumstance, opportunity just isn't perfect for me yet. I hold on to hope that the time is coming soon and that I, in my humanness, just don't miss my part in the plan and I will be the lucky one blessed beyond measure. I look forward to it and I look expecting it.

Lord, You are amazing in all your ways. You want only what is best for me and you long to be gracious to me. Help me to wait on you because only in the waiting will all things be perfect. Help me also not to miss seeing you today and truly worshipping you with all that I do. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen