Wait One Hour
In this fast paced world, waiting is not something we desire or like to practice. Instant gratification has become the challenge. The quicker the better.
That mindset isn’t just for shopping, food or service, but it crosses over to our spiritual life as well. We want prayers answered quickly. We want problems fixed immediately. We want suffering to be kept at a minimum.
No one wants to suffer. But as believers, we are able to rejoice, even in times of suffering. Why? How? Because we know. We know that God always has a purpose in all things. We know that suffering is productive (that is, suffering accomplishes something). And we know that in those things God is working in and through us.
Romans 5:3-4 tells us, “We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness.”
In the song, “Held,” the lyrics challenge us by saying, “If hope is born of suffering, if this is only the beginning, cannot we wait for one hour watching for our Saviour?”
God is refining us in the waiting and in our haste to have a life of ease we are missing out on something so much better. No, suffering isn’t pleasant. It hurts and it’s hard. But as the bible tells us God is shaping our character and giving us hope.
God’s timing is not ours and one hour can seem much longer in our world, but since Jesus asked for us to watch and wait for one hour, He also made a way for us to accomplish it.
Imagine what God could do with one hour of your life! What could the God who created the universe in 6 days do with one hour in your situation? How would your view change? How would your character be refined?
Watch and wait!
Be Intentional about watching and waiting for God in the midst of your suffering.
Praises & Prayers
Father, please forgive me for trying to rush through circumstances that You can use to reveal more of Yourself to me. Help to to stay alert, to watch and wait for what You have planned for me through each trial. Your timing is not mine and I pray that I will be faithful to watch and wait. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
Mark 14: 34, 37-38
“Stay here and keep watch.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”