Women Who Faithfully Wait
The click of the dial on her oversized washing machine echoes in the laundry room. As she presses the start button, she takes a mental note of the digital 0:48 that flashes back at her.
Grabbing the laundry basket, she walks upstairs through the sun-drenched kitchen. The aroma of her mother’s chocolate chip cookie recipe fills her with delight. A quick glance at the timer reminds her of the few minutes she has left before the cookies are ready to come out of the oven.
It was late morning, and as she thoughtfully took inventory of her schedule, she was mindful of the small window of time before she had to leave to pick her children up from school and thus begin the to and fro with the afternoon activities.
Can you relate? Are you juggling a multitude of daily responsibilities within a purposefully planned schedule? Does your schedule include time for prayer and reflection? Or much-needed stillness? What type of time constraints do you navigate throughout your day?
Regardless of your role, there is no doubt that you are proficient at the art of waiting. What do you find yourself waiting on throughout your day? Are you waiting for the clothes to dry, waiting in line at the grocery, waiting for the end of soccer practice, waiting for an important delivery, or simply waiting for an answer to your prayer?
Faithfully waiting on God is a spiritual practice you implement as you faithfully wait for God to answer your prayers.
Do you wait well?
Generations of Faithfully Waiting on the Lord
“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3 HCSB
Hebrews 11, often referred to as The Great Hall of Faith, is an extensive list of those throughout the generational line of the Old Testament who proved to be faithful in the waiting. And while you may remember many of these stories, I encourage you to read through Hebrews 11 and pay particular attention to those who waited well, including the women mentioned that faithfully waited on the Lord.
Sarah: Sarah, growing old, had not conceived a child of her own yet. God promised Abraham that he would be a father of all nations, which would happen through his own bloodline. But let’s remember, God also made a promise to Sarah that she would give birth to a son. (Genesis 21)
We see two promises here, and both will require a season of waiting.
Rahab: Rahab was known for helping Joshua’s spies defeat the land of Jericho. In exchange for her help, the lives of herself and her family would be spared. However, until then, I imagine she waited in silence, looking for any signs of battle surrounding her city. (Joshua 2)
And for a time, Rahab’s life was spent faithfully waiting.
Esther: While not specifically listed in Hebrews 11, Esther was also a daughter in waiting. She rose up and defended her people, the Jews, and requested that King Xerxes spare their lives while waiting for God to work in his heart.
This outcome could have gone either way, but Esther believed in the faithfulness of a just God in the waiting. (Esther 8)
Do you find yourself in a season of waiting?
Are you waiting for an answer to your prayers?
I hope Hebrews 11 offered you the encouragement you may need to know that you are not alone in your waiting because we serve a God who is faithful and good.
Expectations of Faithfully Waiting on the Lord
One of the greatest challenges of faithfully waiting may just be the expectations we place on God. As we hold fast to our timelines and desires, we allow our circumstances – the unknown – to penetrate our thoughts, creating feelings of disappointment and doubt as we wait.
Although we know that we cannot place God or His provisions in a box, we can become restless in our waiting if we are not grounded in God’s Word to remind us that He is in control, loves us fiercely, and knows what is best for us.
As you faithfully wait, are you allowing your circumstances to influence your faith? Or will you anchor your thoughts to God’s Word and allow Him to steady your thoughts in the waiting?
A Benefit of Faithfully Waiting on the Lord
Throughout scripture, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on God, especially in the waiting. Why?
Hebrews 11:1 NIV says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
When we place our trust in God, we boldly accept our identities as Daughters in Christ and strengthen our spiritual muscles through our steadfast confidence in God. And just like the women of the Bible who faithfully waited, may we also be remembered in the hearts of generations who come after us as a woman who waited well.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for Your Sovereignty and mercy. Thank you for loving us, your Daughters, with a love that exceeds any uncertainty that we will walk through. Help us to remember who You are and how faithful you have always been and will be. Give us courage and confidence as we continue to steward this season of faithfully waiting. Amen.
