How to Trust God in the Delays

In James 5:7-8 it says, “Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. See how farmers wait for their precious crops to grow. They wait patiently for fall and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Don’t give up hope. The Lord will soon be here.” (GW)

Whatever problems I’m facing, I need to remember that God is working behind the scenes. I need to trust him and be patient.

But how do I do that? What do I do while I’m waiting? How do I build a faith that trusts God during the delays?

The Bible says, “Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. See how farmers wait for their precious crops to grow. They wait patiently for fall and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Don’t give up hope. The Lord will soon be here” (James 5:7-8 GW).

Like a farmer, I need to wait expectantly. While farmers wait, they prepare for the harvest. They get ready. They don’t sit around thinking, “I wonder if this is going to grow or not.” They expect their crops to grow. They prepare for the harvest so that when it comes, they can reap the benefits.

So, I need to expect God to act and provide. Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (TLB). That promise is all over the Bible, in verses like Isaiah 49:23: “No one who waits for my help will be disappointed” (GNT).

I need to consider what I’ve been waiting for God to do. Whatever I’m waiting on God to do in my life, am I really expecting him to do it? If I’m not preparing myself while I wait, I’m not really expecting anything to happen.

Quite often when we think we’re waiting on God, God is actually waiting on us. I may not be ready to handle the blessing he wants to give me, and so he’s waiting on me to spiritually mature.

One thing that will help me wait patiently on God is to remember his goodness and grace. He is working in my life, even when I can’t see what he’s doing and even if I think his timing is too slow.

I need to get still, spend time in God’s Word, and learn how to be more like Jesus. Then get busy doing the work that will prepare me for the harvest.

In summary, be patient until the Lord returns. Farmers wait patiently for fall and spring rains. I, too, must have the same patience. I should not give up hope. A farmer cannot hurry the process. But while he waits, he is not idle, as there is much to do to ensure a good harvest. I too must wait patiently. And while I wait, there is much work that I can do to advance God's Kingdom. God is always working behind the scenes. Continue to trust him, and to be patient. I do this by learning to wait expectantly. Just like a farmer who expects it to grow. He prepares for the harvest so that when it comes, he can reap the benefits. I too need to wait expectantly as I trust God to act and provide. Whatever I’ve been waiting on God to do, do I really expect him to do it? If I’m not preparing myself while I’m waiting, I’m not really expecting anything to happen. A lot of times the tendency is to wait on God, however God’s just waiting on me. He may be saying, “you're not ready to handle the blessing I want to give you. I want you to grow up first. He’s waiting on me.” So I continue to get into God’s Word, and learn how to be more like him. Then, get busy doing the work that will prepare me for the harvest.