Season of waiting.

Life, like the calendar year, has seasons of change and seasons of waiting. In our studies during the month of November, we are considering four seasons of life that all people face. This week we address the season of waiting. 

Adam and Eve were silently waiting, hidden behind some ill-constructed fig-leaf clothing. They were waiting and hiding—probably hoping God would simply walk out of the Garden of Eden, just as he had walked in. They were waiting, but God did not leave them in their shame and guilt; instead he asked them questions, to search their thoughts and emotions. His questions were meant to set the stage for the world’s first divine solution to a dilemma that mankind could not fix. 

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”// Genesis 3:8-9

God’s people stood at the Red Sea’s rippling border with Pharaoh's army ready to pounce on them. The Israelites cried out to Moses, and Moses simply told them to stop their fearfulness, stand firm, look for God’s deliverance, and be silent. In essence they were being told to wait for God (Exodus 14:13-14). They were in a holding pattern, and God was active.

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” // Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV)

Centuries later, Jesus purposely put Mary and Martha, the grieving sisters of Lazarus, into a season of waiting. Their brother was deathly sick and Jesus gave them time to wait. They had to wait through the sickness; they had no choice but to wait for his presence, even after Lazarus succumbed to death’s cold, eerie grip. But Jesus also waited because he wanted to show them [and us] a power that goes far beyond imagination and gets to the core of every human need. Jesus showed himself to be the personified power of resurrection and life. But in order to see this they had to wait.

The sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. // John 11:3-6 (ESV)

God’s people have found themselves in seasons of waiting from the very beginning of time. Many of these periods of waiting come about because of upheaval and transition. Times of waiting can come suddenly and unexpectedly. These times of waiting can leave us disoriented and immersed in chaos.

This weekend we will be exploring a period of waiting in the life of the apostle Paul. He was waiting in prison. 

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. // Philippians 1:12-14

Paul shares with the believers in Philippi that this period of waiting IS being used by God. Paul is waiting in prison and God’s mercy has moved the gospel message forward into the hearts and lives of the palace guard. Non-believers had become believers. On top of this, fellow Christians were also being given more courage to speak about the good news of Jesus (gospel) without fear. God’s movement in a time of waiting was changing lives and eternal destinies.

I want to direct your attention to these two points of encouragement this week: when we are deep into times and seasons of waiting, God’s mercy and God’s movement are also present, although not always evident. May God show each of us another facet of his brilliance and his love as we wait.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. // Lamentations 3:22-23

Whatever the season you are in, now that we are post-election day, 2020, let us each take solace in the truth that our God is full of unending mercy and in that mercy he is moving for the good of his Church!

Blessings, 
Pastor Al