Are you a wanderer? Do you have a life full of mistakes? Have you ever turned your back on God and wondered if you were worthy enough to come back? Do you wonder if God really cares about you in all your suffering?
Are you waiting on God to answer your prayer?
This verse from the end of Joshua 21 caught my ear this morning. The Israelites had finally taken possession of the Promised Land, having been led there by Moses after a 40-year trek through the desert, and having taken over most of the towns under the faithful leadership of Joshua. They divided up the land to each of the twelve tribes of Israel and, at long last, began to settle into a season of peace.
Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. ~Joshua 21:45 (NIV)
Not a single promise failed. Every single promise God made to the Israelites was fulfilled.
Was it because they were so good? Because they were so faithful? Because they loved God above all others all the time?
Let’s take a minute to remember who these people were who God so faithfully blessed…
They were slaves in Egypt, held in bondage, suffering at their masters’ hands. But God set them free.
Are you suffering? Feel like you’re held in bondage? God will set you free.
They wandered through the desert for 40 years because they were prone to fits of unfaithfulness to God. But God led them to the promised land.
Have you wandered far from God or been prone to fits of unfaithfulness? God will lead you home.
They whined and complained at every inconvenience, every wrong turn, every delay. But God focused on their songs of praise.
Which words are you singing the loudest? God will focus on your songs of praise.
They faced forces larger and stronger than themselves and wondered how they would ever win the battle. But God gave them battle plans and led them to victory.
Are you facing a battle that you can’t win on your own? God will provide a battle plan and lead you to His victory.
They waited and waited and waited for God’s promises, and many never saw the end result. It took generations for God to fulfill all His promises. Those who left Egypt did not live to see the Promised Land. Many of those born in the desert did not live to sleep under a roof. Yet, when we take the long view, we see how God was faithful to His people, even though individuals may not have seen the full fruition.
God is faithful in His time, so hold firm and keep believing
Waiting for God to answer? Hold firm, believe. God is faithful in His time. Click To Tweet
When you’re feeling down and frustrated that God’s not answering your prayers, give these questions some thought:
- Are you taking the long view and seeing how God is at work throughout your life, even if you don’t see Him in this moment?
- Are you singing songs of praise louder than your cries of complaint?
- Are you committed to being faithful to God and to His direction, or are you still prone to fits of unfaithfulness?
- Have you allowed God to release you from the bonds that hold you back, or are you still shackling yourself to your past?
- Are you asking God for His battle plan and letting Him lead the charge against whatever you’re facing?
The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. ~Joshua 21:44 (NIV)
Trust God to be faithful and give you rest on every side, for none of your enemies can withstand God’s power.
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Holly Barrett says
This is the hardest part for me: “Are you taking the long view and seeing how God is at work throughout your life, even if you don’t see Him in this moment?” I want to be able to see where we are going at all times! And God doesn’t work like that very often, does He? 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement today, Kathryn!
Kathryn says
Me too – until I reach one of those points where I can see how God was moving in those times of waiting and then I’m reminded by this small glimpse that God’s plans are much bigger and longer than even my life.
Marianne says
I am waiting also. It is very hard.I want to see over the next hill because I feel like I am stuck at the bottom. The what ifs lead me down. I made a wrong decision and regret it. I asked God to change it. So far nothing.
Kathryn says
The waiting is so hard and I know what a difficult place it is to be in the valley, but take hope that there will be something next for you. Saying a prayer now for you. Stay strong and take courage that God is there with you in this valley and has a plan for you – just may not be in the timing you’d like. Keep praying!
Marianne says
Thank you for your encouragement. I know that God will take care of it, I just need to trust. You are very kind to pray for me.. Blessings to you
rjbritton says
A pastor friend once said to me “keep God to him promises.” This advice has kept me strong through many difficult times. I talk to God and remind him I am holding on to him because he has promised.
Kathryn says
Love that advice! Wonder how many times God reminds us of the same – to keep to the promises we’ve made to Him?
Mary Geisen says
I feel like I am waiting now and there are times I’m just done with it. But I am learning that God is still preparing us even in the waiting. I also know that singing God’s praises is always going to accomplish more than screaming our complaints. I try to choose gratefulness over complaints and find that my day is always better when I do. I appreciate your words and can always be reminded of this. I need to hear it over and over.
Kathryn says
Gratefulness over complaints definitely makes the days better! Was just trying to explain that to my 7 year old yesterday morning. She started the day with complaints and it just got worse from there. Tried to explain how her words reflect off others – and if she’ll start off with gratefulness and praise, the world around her will reflect them back.
Mary Geisen says
So glad to see you at Weekend Whispers. Hope your weekend is restful and restoring.
Abby says
Such an encouraging post, Kathryn. I wandered away from God for many years and I thought the same things you mention here. How could he take me back? Would he still love me? etc. I’m so thankful we serve a God who loves us far more than we deserve and that we don’t have to earn it. Amazing. Thanks for blessing us at #RaRaLinkup today.
Kathryn says
So grateful, too, that we have such a forgiving and loving God! I never imagined I could do what I’m doing – thought I’d wandered too far away to come back and work for God. Yet, He reminds me day after day that anything is possible with Him.
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Kathryn,
I really needed this post this morning. I am in a season of waiting….waiting to recuperate from a major surgery. Recently I’ve had a set back and have found myself anxious and lacking in trust. Thank you for the beautiful reminder that God is faithful in HIS time (not mine). Trying to keep my heart stayed on His promises…
Blessings,
Bev
Kathryn says
Was just reading this verse today: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10, 13
Saying a prayer for you for healing and courage. Hold tight and trust that God is with you every step.
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Thanks so much for your prayers, Kathryn! By God’s grace, doing better today…I love this verse…such comfort.
Blessings xx
findingyourpossible says
What an encouraging post! God is so good. He is so faithful. Even when we are ugly and unlovable, he loves us and draws us to Himself. Thank you God for being so amazing! Thank you for reminding us that God is in control, loves us and always has His best in mind fur us. He is answering our prayers and blessing us even when we don’t notice it.
Marianne says
Thank you. Yes HE is in control. I am trying to trust and leave it to Him. He will answer. Thanks again for your thoughts of encouragement.
Kathryn says
Thank you! I think this is what amazes me most about God – even when we aren’t good to Him, He’s so good to us.
Linda Stoll says
I’m waiting. Simply trusting. Believing on His promises and His character.
I have no other choice. It is the path to healing, to grace. To wholeness.
Kathryn says
The waiting is so hard – as is releasing control and trusting. Saying a prayer for you and your journey.
kristine says
God is faithful! What an important message, but one we often forget. Thanks for the reminder today, Kathryn!
Patricia Krank says
I am currently a wanderer, waiting for God to show me the next step. It is hard to take the “long view” for sure but I know, that I know, that I KNOW that my God is faithful and one day I will understand the wait. Thank you for this great post Kathryn.
Blessings to you,
Patti
joanneviola says
Such an encouraging post Kathryn! Not one of His promises will He fail. I am so grateful for the many promises He has given us. He knew we would need something to hold onto as we journey through this life. Waiting is hard as I often equate it with being stuck. And that is so not true. Even as we wait on Him, He is working and moving and positioning our lives for His purposes. A much needed the reminder this morning so thank you for sharing your insights!
bcb0 says
Oh, Kathryn, I love these words of yours: “God will focus on your songs of praise.” What a sweet sentiment that is. I’m so grateful to a God Who doesn’t take offense at my complaints, and even has the patience to overlook them and listen to my “songs of praise.” He’s the absolute best…adore Him. Sweet post this morning, thank you for sharing. ((blessings))
Jennifer @ A Divine Encounter says
Yes, yes, yes! Such powerful truth for us all, and you’ve written about it so powerfully. I tweeted this, and pinned to my personal board and to our Best of Grace & Truth board. Thank you for linking up with us!
Kathryn says
Thanks, Jennifer! This one spoke so strongly to my heart, too, Thanks for sharing this post!
Kaylene Yoder says
Kathryn, I needed this today and will be hanging on to many of the words here for weeks to come. These two questions in particular are grabbing my attention:
“Are you committed to being faithful to God and to His direction, or are you still prone to fits of unfaithfulness?”
“Have you allowed God to release you from the bonds that hold you back, or are you still shackling yourself to your past?”
I have a lot to think on and continue praying about.
I will be sharing this post at Grace & Truth. Blessings!
Kathryn says
Kaylene – definitely questions that challenge us, but I find so much hope in this story of God’s faithfulness – even if it’s not on my timeline. Prayers for you and thanks for sharing this post!