Being Joyous In The Waiting

Matthew 11:28-30

Girls, It has been a heavy month so far, to say the least. If I am being honest, it's like I got Baptized and I've been getting strengthened ever since. There's this misconception, well at least one that I had that after you get Baptized it will all get easier all of a sudden. Like bet, now that I got God through this process, and since I know that God said he carries all our burdens, I'm all good, I mean, it says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I'm not even gonna lie to you when I read this I said, okay God said come, check! I can come with my burdens, and in my weariness, check! God will give me rest, check! God's yoke is easy, and his burdens are light, and those are better than mine, so check! I can't exactly say how but some way I equated all of that to my burden's ain't gon be mine no more. Yet, did you notice that nowhere in that scripture was it written that the burdens would be leaving us entirely? It didn't say they would be gone. If we match up this line of thought with Psalms 55:22 where it says "Cast your burdens upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to the shaken." Notice that in both of these scriptures, there's an implication or rather an assumption as they would say in my Pre-Law studies, that God is going to be helping us through, our burdens. He said during those times, he will give us rest. Cast them onto him and he will sustain you through it, so you won't be shaken. It didn't say that they would banish into thin air, which just for the record I believe the Lord is capable of doing when it's time. While most of us can agree that we would prefer if they could just go away entirely, there is so much we can learn in and through our troubling seasons.

Recently I have been in a waiting season, and it has certainly been challenging. I decided one day to look for a devotional-based Bible study plan that could provide me with structure during my quiet time with the Lord. I ended up coming across this 5-day devotional titled 'The Joy of In-Between' by Ashley Hetherington. It can be found in the Bible App directly for those who would be interested in reading it, I highly recommend it. During my 5 days of Bible study I came across 5 verses that really resonated with me during this season I am currently in. In my walk, I am learning that being joyous in the waiting is not only going to help me to get through my seasons, but it is also going to strengthen my walk with Christianity in general. For I know that God is good in every season, the least I could do is strive to be joyous in all of mine.

Matthew 6:7-13: Improving Prayer Life

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

If you are anything like me, when you're in desperate need of something you find yourself praying for it more and more. Coming across this verse was a real convicting moment for me because I realized that the pagans and I weren't as different as I thought. I started to think about the things I was currently praying for, and in my reflection, I realized that almost every time I prayed I was saying just about the same thing - revised a lil bit but I was quite literally babbling.

While I was trying so hard to get God to feel me on what I was saying, I realized that it had already been over a month since I'd prayed about much of anything else without also mentioning the things I was in need of. So, as I'm reading about this prayer, now I'm like, okay, let me just pray this prayer every day. But then I got a little confused, not gonna lie, because I was like well if I pray this same prayer every day, isn't that just as repetitive as the things I'm asking for? That led me to dig deeper into the meaning and structure of the Lord's prayer.

Breaking Down The Lord's Prayer

First, I learned that this prayer is a model for how to approach God. It teaches us to start by acknowledging Him, saying: "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be your name." Not only is this a way to greet the Lord; it is also a way that we can humble ourselves before him. In doing so we are recognizing His power and holiness, by affirming our personal relationship with him.

Next, it says "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Remember how I said that my prayers had become repetitive? What set aside the Lord's prayer is that in it, we are praying repeatedly for God's will to be done-not ours. When I spent weeks praying "God, I want this to happen in this way", or "God, give me this," I was praying that my will be done. But God's will for us is unchanging, and it's through prayer that we align ourselves with it. When I pray for His will, I'm also praying for everything I need to carry it out. The Lord recognizes that each day will have its battles, and girl, let me just affirm that they sure will. But when we pray that the Lord's will be done, we're asking Him to equip us to overcome whatever stands in the way of His plan for us.

Daily Bread and Forgiveness

The prayer goes on to say,  "Give us today our daily bread." This connects to a verse I think about often which can be found in Matthew 6:34 where it says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." When we ask the Lord to give us our daily bread we are asking for all the tools and equipment that we will need to fulfill his will for us. Whether it's for basic provisions or for the strength to endure complex challenges by asking the Lord, it shall be supplied and fulfilled daily. This is our reminder to rely on Him entirely.

Next, it says "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtor's." In saying this we are acknowledging our shortcomings, while also asking for forgiveness. But let's talk about forgiving others because, sis, I know that this can be a hard ask. Cause let's be forreal, they did us wrong why are we asking for their forgiveness, shouldn't they have to ask for their own? Well sis, here's the thing there's a connection between being forgiven and forgiving others. How can we fully experience God's unconditional love if we're not striving to love unconditionally as well? Sis, I'm sorry to break it to you but we are all debtors. No matter how innocent we may think we are, whether it was intentional or not, we've wronged some people in our lives. If we expect forgiveness, shouldn't we extend it as well? If God didn't forgive debtors, we'd all be suffering the consequences. For it to work for us, it's got to work in us for them too.

Trusting God's Knowledge

Now by the time I got to the end of this Bible study, I made a connection to something that was said in verse 8 of Matthew 6 where it said "Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him." God already knows what we need. That is why we don't need to babble or use more words than necessary. There are just 66 words in the Lord's prayer, and those words were enough not because of the word count but because those words covered everything they needed to. In saying those 66 words we acknowledge God's holiness, surrender to his will, ask for provisions, seek forgiveness, and extend it to others.

I am not saying this to discourage you in or prayer life or to say that you should only pray the Lord's prayer. The beauty of this prayer is that it's a blueprint a guide to help us pray sincerely and focus on God's will instead of our own. Our prayer time is an opportunity to communicate with God. And, it does not have to be perfect, but it should be intentional. The goal is to express our needs, gratitude, and concerns while aligning ourselves with His will. Different situations will call for different prayers. So give yourself grace, and don't forget to ask God for grace too. Whether your prayers are specific, spontaneous, full of gratitude, or heavy with burdens, let them be sincere. And always remember sis, God already knows everything you need before you even ask.

James 1:2-4 Consider Troubles Great

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Imagine how differently our lives would feel if we could consider it pure joy when we face trials. It is ironic, that we know God's promises to us, yet we still be stressing. We know that even if, in this lifetime, we encounter nothing but challenges, in the kingdom, there will be no sorrow, crying, pain, or death. I don't know about you, but most of my past trials have indeed produced perseverance. When I think back on some of the worst moments of my life they are reminders of what the Lord truly took me out of and brought me through. I am also reminded how much I learned from those experiences, and how much stronger they made me. And most importantly by God's will, I am also reminded that those situations taught me that I NEVER want to or will go back to those places.

Now, in the wait, it is all the more true. We know that God is planning for good to come out of this current trial. We also know that perseverance will finish its work. So not only will we leave this season stronger, we will leave this season more mature, more complete, and lacking nothing. What if God wants you to wait because He is planning to do and give you more than you could have even expected? What if it is taking time because God is being strategic to ensure that you will never lose hold of what is to come from and with this season? Imagine being anything other than joyful that God is giving you better than what you expected, even if it does not meet the expectations you once had coming in.

Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."

2 Corinthians 12:9 When I am Weak, I Am Strong

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Now when I say I love this verse! Sisters I probably quote it at least three times a week. Especially in my own head. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." There are so many things I love about the Lord but one thing especially is that He meets us any, and everywhere. The Lord is not confined to the walls of the sanctuary, or even to your prayers. We are reminded time, and time again that he will meet us in our midst.

As a matter of fact, let's think of a few different places. The Bible says in dreams (Gen. 28:10), in caves (1 Kings 9:11), on the road (Acts 9:1), in secret (Matthew 6:6), where there are two or more (Matthew 18:20), in the darkest valleys (Psalms 23:4), in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1), in the brokenhearted (Psalms 23:18), and in the fire (Isaiah 43:2).

So Girl, do not doubt for a second that he will meet you in your weakness. I know that Paul is talking about the devil's thorn in this verse specifically but when I connect this verse to my life I feel that thorn in a number of different ways. Even though God has worked on and in me, I still struggle to be confident in my strengths, my success, and even my abilities to be a good Christian at times. I am constantly begging and pleading with God to take the thorn of inadequacy and doubt out of and away from me. Then, I am reminded that God's grace is sufficient. Sis, God's grace is sufficient for you too, This struggle is not bigger than him, this season is not bigger than him, and those insecurities are not bigger than him. Paul said, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Because God's power is made in perfect weakness. When we are in our weakness, the Lord's power is revealed, how beautiful it is that God lets us know him more and more each day. Paul says that this is "For Christ's sake." Our God does so much for us in our lives sis, imagine if we could finally do something for him. That is to find delight in our weaknesses because even though we don't even deserve it at times... cause I know that sometimes, through those seasons, I can be distanced from God, question him, lean on my own understanding, and hold animosity toward him; nonetheless, God still provides me with His strength.

James1:5-7 Double-Mindedness

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one that doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Girls, I am so glad that I serve a God who will give to us generously without finding fault when we lack wisdom. Now coming from an African background, there are so many times I asked an elder a question and just didn't understand their response. To make matters worse, I am at my baseline, a "why?" type of gal, If imma understand what you are trying to tell me, imma understand it entirely, and it's usually going to require at least three backup questions hahaha. I'm not kidding. Anyway usually by the time I get to question two I have already been gently scolded, or I notice their frustration, and eventually, either way, I eventually digress. Sometimes, I would feel dumb after asking all those whys, and other times, I would feel blasphemous or judged. But here it says "If you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you ."

God is so gracious that he would be willing to give us answers. In fact, God is so gracious that he invites us to ask. But we must believe, and not doubt. Remember when I talked about those elders? I'm not gonna lie they literally owed me nothing but a response, and even that, they did not. For all I know they could have been feeding me a whole lot of mumbo jumbo because they of course had their own perspective which they would be tying into their response. I think that's why I would ask so ferociously, to really see what their intentions were, and where their information was coming from (their opinion or actual facts). What's different with God is that He is the facts. Everything has been written for us, he is the Alpha and the Omega, our Omnipotent God. Because He is the beginning and the end, we know that He knows all things. We are asking our most credible source. So we shall not doubt instead, we should believe. How can we stand firm in our faith in Him, in the answers that He is giving us if we are being unstabilized by our double-mindedness? Sis, all that doubting gon lead you to be tossed up and around by those waves and wind. God's got the answer, and He's got you!

Isiah 40:29-31: They that wait

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

There is this song by Fred Hammond that I probably deserve some ownership too for how much I play it hahha. I mean seriously though, the song says:

"they that wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up on wings just like an eagle and soar,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and never faint,

they that wait on the Lord,

and I say wait on the Lord

Hold on a little while longer

Here's what you got to do,

trust and believe my friend,

He'll work it out for you,

one thing you must remember,

My God is able and He cares for you,

He cares for you."

Now, y'a'll, I just wrote that down from the tippy top of my head. It's that serious lol. But seriously these words were taken from Isiah 40:29-31. The Lord increases the power of the weak and the weary. He brings strength to those, both young and old that will stumble and fall. He renews our strength. Now what I love about this song is that it ties it to those who are waiting. Girl, whether or not, you are currently in a season of waiting, remember these words (and the song haha), because they will help you through those seasons. The Lord will strengthen us to the point where we can soar on wings, run without growing weary, and walk without being faint. Sister, it doesn't matter what we go through one thing is for sure God will be with us through it, and He will give us strength on the way.

Psalms 28:7-8 says "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us, for being our shield, and for helping us through it all. Thank you, Lord, for strengthening us. Lord your goodness is limitless, and your love is incomprehensible. You are good God, and I thank you because you allow us the opportunity to know You, your love, and all that comes with it. Lord help us to give you more than a fraction of our hearts. Help us to lay our life down in the way Jesus did, for your promises are greater than anything else that could be offered to us. Help us, Lord, to find joy in the waiting because we know that everything that comes from you is good. Your grace and mercy exceed even the greatest good. God you are the greatest good, there is. And we thank you for it all, Amen.

With Love To My Sisters,

Ebaisin Fessie