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Resources - Meditations
February 2000
Trowel – Building
I Do Not Enjoy
Waiting
Rev. John Terhorst
It happened while we lived in North Ryde, New South Wales. Although I
suspect the location makes no difference. I suggest it is common to many
cities and towns. My doctor’s appointment was at 4.45 pm. I was a little
early so as not to keep the good doctor waiting. By the time I was
ushered to his consulting room, it was almost 6 pm. The wait was
annoying. I had work to do. The fact that I browsed through a number of
very old Reader’s Digest, did not placate my frustration by any
measurable sum. I dislike waiting. Mostly, I consider it a nuisance.
Waiting, by and large, is a waste of a precious commodity, time. Perhaps
its only redeeming feature is this, it is a good way to grow in
patience. Patience is of course a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Patience is
to come to a greater expression in our (my!) life.
I question if that is what the psalmist is driving at? We read, Wait for
the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” [Psalm 27:10]
If waiting is a waste of time, why does the Bible encourage it? Why does
God command something we think bears little profit? Can we as Christians
gain from waiting upon the Lord? Of course, otherwise God would not ask
it of us.
Many of us know the necessity of revival. We sleep at night in order to
be wakened in a more revived state. We eat at times of hunger, so that
we may be revived physically. Revival, on many levels, is a daily
essential. It is true in our spiritual being as well. We live in a
broken world. A world where sin, at times, may seem to have the upper
hand. A world within which there are many broken promises; many broken
relationships; much broken health. It is difficult in the midst of all
this to, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord.” [Romans 12:11]. So spiritually, God’s children are in
need of revival...! Daily!
I have read on many church notice boards, “Revival Meeting”, with the
appropriate time and day announced. Normally, such revival meetings
require a guest speaker. A specialist in reviving despondent Christians
no doubt. Most of these meetings are well attended. Why wouldn’t they
be? The need is a reality. God’s children frequently need reviving. The
reviving of faith in the face of doubt. The reviving of hope in times of
melancholy. The reviving of strength to go on, in the midst of feeling
weak. However, revival does not necessarily follow from seeking revival.
Attending a revival meeting usually just results in a temporary
emotional high. But, may I be so bold as to suggest, revival has nothing
to do with the experience of an emotional high. That experience is
available from many and varied sources. Feeling emotionally ‘on top of
things’ does not necessarily equate with being revived.
Where does Biblical revival have its source? Where is its beginning?
God! The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first person of the
blessed Trinity. We read Jesus’ promise in the beatitudes, “Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst (not for revival meetings, nor even
revival!) for righteousness, for they will be filled.” [Matthew 5:6]
Righteousness comes from God. Being aware of spiritual bankruptcy, is
the first step to revival. The second step is looking to God for the
filling of that void. The true substance of revival comes from God. It
comes as His children look to Him alone. It comes as His children seek
Him alone. It comes as His children submit to Him alone.
The prophet Isaiah draws a magnificent mental idea for us in chapter 40.
An image no doubt known well to many of us. We read, “but those who hope
in (or we could translate the words ‘hope in’ as ‘wait on’ - N.A.S.B.)
the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
[Isaiah 40:31]. This is what the Christian desires: to soar as on wings
of eagles. To run and not grow weary is what the believer needs. To walk
and not be faint is the longing of all God’s children. That, to me,
sounds like an exceptional experience of revival.
A Prayer:
Dear Father, please teach me to
wait patiently on you. Amen.
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