For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 ESV
Illustration
A man was praying to God. He said, "God!?" God responded, "Yes?" And the guy said, "Can I ask a question?" "Go right ahead," God said. "God, what is a million years to you?" God said, "A million years to me is only a second." "Hmmm," the man wondered. Then he asked, "God, what is a million dollars worth to you?" God said, "A million dollars to me is as a penny." So, the man said, "God, can I have a penny?" And God cheerfully said, "Sure!! Just a second." Author unknown
Waiting on God can be frustrating at times for most of us. No one is quite sure why God makes them wait. At times the wait can be a few days, but at other times it could be decades. Abraham and Sarah waited for decades for God to give them a child. But the prayer of Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah was answered instantaneously as God gave them victory over their enemies.
God’s timing may not always be pleasant, but it is always perfect. The Almighty may not come when we want Him to, but He is always on time. We should not try to get ahead of God as Abraham and Sarah did. And when God says for us to move or act, we should not hesitate as the Israelites did when they failed to take the Promised Land because they were afraid of the giants in the land.
In today’s text, God asked the prophet Habakkuk to write a vision and make it plain for the Israelites to read and understand. The Lord wanted to make sure the Israelites knew about His forthcoming judgment on His people because of their disobedience. He assures them, though the vision is awaiting its appointed time, it will surely come. If it seems slow, just wait for it.
I want to remind and encourage you to wait for what you have been asking from God. It may feel as if you’ve been waiting for a long time but wait for it. If it seems as if God is moving too slow, it will surely happen. God’s seeming delay is but a season of preparation so you can be prepared to receive what you are asking.
What should you do as you wait for God to answer your petition according to His time? First, we should be persistent in prayer. Don’t ever stop praying for the things you are expecting God to do for you. Prayer can move up God’s timing on your behalf. At the very least, prayer will enrich your faith and give you the confidence to wait on God.
Second, trust and obey. As difficult as it may be to trust God when we cannot see what He’s doing, we must trust and obey. God is not a human being that He should lie. As we pray earnestly, we must trust faithfully. Then we must listen to what God is saying to us through sermons, in scripture, and other mediums so we can remain be aligned with His will as we wait for His favor.
Third, don’t be discouraged when you are made to wait longer than expected or wanted. The Lord will not let you down. You will receive everything He purposed for you at the appointed time. In the meantime, rejoice in the Lord. His joy will give you strength. Even if you must shed tears of frustration, remember that those who sow in tears will reap a harvest of Joy (Psalm 126:5).
Questions for Personal Reflection
Why do you think God makes us wait so long at times?
Why do you think God’s timing is better than our own?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please give me the discipline and trust to wait on your timing. Help me not to get ahead of you when I feel pressed, and my circumstance is more dire. Remind me of your faithfulness when I am tempted to disobey your word so I can satisfy my desires.