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Hurry up and wait!

Today we are waiting on the birth of our 5th grandchild with Nick and Rebekah in Edinburg, TX. Little Liam's bedroom is ready. There is a baby bed, rocker, dresser, bookshelves and a change table. The walls are decorated with Nick's old superman, batman, spiderman, Captain America, and Green Lantern comic books. Rebekah will check into the hospital tomorrow morning at 8:00. Her bags are packed. We are ready. But, the wait goes on.

Today amid occasional Braxton Hicks and possible labor pains, I thought of the biblical admonition to "wait on the Lord". Here are some passages that came to mind...

"Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" Ps. 27:14

"Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You." Ps. 33:20-22

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth". Ps. 37:7-9

"I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry". Ps. 40:1

It occurs to me that waiting involves at least three things...

Wait on God's timing. We tend to give God deadlines to remove a particular trial, or a difficult situation. Waiting on the Lord means removing all such deadlines.

Wait on God's provision. We tent to get ahead of God on just about everything. That is why debt is such a problem in America today. We want it now. And we get into trouble.

Wait on God's power. Too often we try to work things out ourselves without giving God the time to demonstrate his supernatural power to change circumstances and to change hearts.

Wait on God's glory. "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait on you. Your name and renown are the desire of our heart". Isa. 26:8 Waiting on the Lord always brings glory to God.

Waiting on the Lord is savoring God's promises by faith until the time of His fulfillment.

I will let you know tomorrow more about the Chronicles of Liam. Until then you will just have to wait. :)

In His grip of grace,

Rex