”You’re right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true”

John 8:14 MSG

 

Dear Friend,

I hope this message finds you well.

Today, we conclude our series on Waiting with the topic ”Trusting God”.   According to Merriam-Webster, trust is defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.   So when we say we trust God, we mean we are assured of His promises, we rely on His character, ability and strength to give us what He has promised regardless of what we see.  

       I understand that waiting can often feel challenging,  yet it truly depends on who you are waiting with and what word informs your waiting.  I have learned that it is sometimes easier to encourage others to wait on God when you are not personally experiencing that wait alongside them.   The good news is that God can be trusted—let me emphasise this: God can be trusted!.  We see in the Bible that we have not a High Priest that is oblivious to our struggles, hence more than you know, He understands (Hebrews 4:14).  We can look to His reliability, character, and the truth of His Word, His ability and willingness to help among other things.  We can rest in His love and kindness, knowing He always gives us the best gifts.  We can find comfort in the assurance that He is always with us.  As the Bible says,  “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).  And again, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

       As you wait on God for the manifestation of His promises, take time to find your word (Rhema) in His Word (Logos).  Rhema is a personal, timely message from God, like a specific scripture brought to life for you by the help of the Holyspirit. Its the revelation of that word that directs, guides you and encourages you; this then serves as an anchor for what you expect.  Logos on the other hand is the written word of God (The Bible).  Waiting without a word is like travelling without direction; without it, you won’t know how to get there, which route to take, or when to change your means of transportation.  When the enemy comes like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift a standard against it (Isaiah 59:19).  Your word you have recieved (Rhema) and belived, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, will silence those troubling thoughts that often arise during waiting.

     The bible says by two immutable things it is impossible for God to lie.  His promise and His oath (Hebrews 6:8).    His promise is His word (Rhema) to you, personal revelation, inward witness that is backed up by His word—His Oath (The Scriptures).  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), in fact, He hates lies (Proverbs 6:16-17). Hence. it would be completely out of character for Him to do so.  Furthermore, He is unchanging (Malachi 3:6 ).   You see for every promise, there is a season of manifestation and before the manifestation, there is something God wants to do in our lives to enable us be better steward of that which we ask for amongst other things.   For instance, we see in the case of Jospeh, God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true (Psalm 105:19) after which He was now able to manage effectively that which God had for Him (Psalm 105: 20-22).  So you see there is a purpose for your wait, a miracle, a blessing, a purging , a process of becoming.   So rather than despise it and feel sad, partner with the God to help you navigate it. He is forever able to help you, a present help (Psalm 46:1)

      To be honest, waiting can be joyful when our focus shifts from what we are waiting for to who we are waiting with — Jesus.   This explains how someone can wait long for a blessing yet thrive in the process.  It is not that they do not experience pain or weariness occassionally, but they have encountered someone greater—Jesus.  In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28);  He is enough.  He knows what we need and when we need it (Matthew 6:30-33).  The Bible tells us that He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  He promises, “Lo, at the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” (Isaiah 60:22).   One common mistake we often make while waiting is focusing solely on what we desire, neglecting the many other blessings in our lives.  Consider keeping a gratitude journal or jar; surely, God has been faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23). He has come through for you and answered prayers you did not even voice.  Reflecting on that can reinforce that our God can indeed be trusted.

      In Ecclessiates 3:1, we see that for everything there is a season. Sometimes the reason we get overwhelmed is because we are running with a time influenced by what we have seen and heard as opposed to what we know God has said.  What time have you looked at that seems to strip away hope? What moments do you find yourself running through that make it feel like God is slow to respond?  My friend, He is not.  He arrives at just the right moment and He does not abandon you. He patiently waits alongside you. When you come to realise this, you experience true fellowship, and no one who connects with God leaves with a broken heart.  With Him, there is joy. The fruit of the Spirit is joy—an outpouring that results from daily surrender, fellowship, and allowing God to work in your life (Galatians 5:22)

        So while you wait, trust in the One you are waiting with, for He cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Num 23:19), and His word will surely come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). Ask Him for help in your waiting—ask Him for understanding, growth, and the ability to see things His way.  After all, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).  I was reading a comment on YouTube where a person who played the organ for Kathryn Khulman in 1970 asked what faith was and she replied ”Young Man, Faith is when you quit believing what you see… & start seeing what you believe!!”.  Buford Dowell went on to add:  ”Friend I ask you today; “are you seeing the world? the flesh? the enemy? Or are you seeing what you believe, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit of God? He is faithful! God will manifest His will and His mighty word, if you will only trust Him!.”

    The wonderful thing about the ability to wait is that it develops over time.  Some days you may grasp it, while on others, you might struggle.  The Bible even tells us that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12).  So, seek God’s grace daily to wait well and to flourish as you expect His promises, for His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9 ). Focus on Him and commit to His ways (Isaiah 50:7).  Take each day one step at a time, striving to grow steadily (Colossians 1:10).   If you ever reach a point of frustration, return to Him for help.  Remember, there is hope for a tree; at the scent of water, it will bloom again (Job 14:7-9 ).   Jesus is the living water, and His voice is like the sound of many waters (Revelation 1:15).   By immersing yourself in His word, the Holy Spirit will wash over you with the water of His word (Ephesians 5:27). 

      As the fragrance of His word surrounds you, you will receive life, and rivers of living water will flow from within you (John 7:38) thus influencing your meditation and confession. For the power of life and death is in the tongue(Proverbs 18:21), hence what you confess forms your reality.  Speak Life! Speak the word of God concerning your journey.   The Holy Spirit is working gently within you to help you behold and become (Eph 3:20).  Additionally, surround yourself with good company, as friends truly matter (Prov 18:27).  Look for faith-based friends (Prov 27:17) and be mindful of who has access to your heart and ears (Esther 1:13-15).  Listen to faith-filled messages that not only highlight what God can do (His hand) but also reveal who God is (His heart). There may be days when reading the Bible feels wearying; during those times, engage with these messages, those songs to reignite your spirit.  Remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).

      Until next time, I want to share some scriptures that has truly blessed my life.  I encourage you to commit it to your heart and repeat it to yourself until you embrace the truths it conveys, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

God can do anything you know. Far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20 MSG

Then Yahweh replied:
“Write down the revelation; write it legibly on clay tablets so that whoever reads it may run and explain it to others.
The vision still awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove to be false.
When the appointed time comes, it will happen with breathless haste.
Although it may seem slow, just be patient and wait.

Habbakuk 2: 2-3 TPT

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:33-34 MSG

Do take care my friend and remember that God can be trusted.