Lessons In the Waiting: Dependence on God

When you think of Spring 2020 words like pandemic, quarantine, Covid 19 and toilet paper hoarding might come to mind. Yet through all the chaos and uncertainty there are many lessons to be learned in the waiting. This time is a gift from our loving God.

In this season of waiting I have often found myself trying to hurry things along and solve problems in my own strength and understanding. As I run figures and shift things around trying to cover the gaps created with all the travel cancellations, I have a deep inner peace knowing that God will take care of the details, but I still try to fix everything in my own power. How well is that working for me? Not at all.

A week ago, after trimming down the budget as much as I could, I had a plan in place that would provide the funding needed for the office to get by for rest of the year. I was feeling hopeful and a bit proud of myself for figuring it all out and being prepared. Then a huge piece of the puzzle fell apart and I felt desperate, afraid and discouraged.

But God…..in His loving way of teaching me, showed me that my dependence had been on myself and my abilities rather than trusting Him to be my provider. He had been offering peace for my soul but I had been to busy trying to do it on my own to fully accept what He was providing.

He reminded me that He is the God who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, (Isaiah 43:16) and I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8) He finished with, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

God will be providing whatever is needed at the exact time it is necessary and He will receive the glory. My schedules and planning are nice thoughts and wishful thinking, but God knows every detail of the future and when He offers His peace and provision, He is also reminding me that He is watching over me with His loving eyes and wise counsel.

A few days after the loss of the large sale that I had been depending on fell through, I received a smaller sale that I had not expected. This smaller sale would provide what was needed now, kind of like manna. God is teaching me daily dependence on Him. He didn’t leave enough manna on the ground so the Israelites would have their whole year provided for in one day. He gave them exactly what they needed one day at a time.

I imagine that each day when they woke up and saw His provision it would create new excitement and trust in Jehovah Jireh – their provider. He is doing the same for us.

My Prayer

Father you are my provider. Thank you for daily meeting all my needs. Your provision comes in many different ways and I pray that you will help me to trust in Your timing and enjoy the adventure in the journey. Your creativity is surprising, exciting and fills me with awe and wonder. Forgive my feeble attempts at playing god in my own circumstances. Father You alone are God. You are my God and I give You praise and the glory only You deserve. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”