A word from His Word from this Word

I'm fully aware that my title is absurd. I just couldn't help it. 

I already shared these thoughts today with a few girlfriends because of the theme running through our lives through significantly different circumstances.  So I figured, some of you might be encouraged and challenged by this too. 

I read part of the Bible each day (or, lets be honest, some days), a devotional entitled Jesus Calling, and another called Streams in the Desert.  Though it doesn't happen all the time, this morning all three lined up with the same Truth: we are often asked to wait on the Lord, and He promises that he DOES and ALWAYS comes through. 

*From Streams in the Desert-  God does not open paths for us before we come to them, or provide help before help is needed.  We often expect God to open and clear many miles of road before us, but He promises to do it only step by step, only as our need arises.  

*From Jesus Calling-  God is able to do far beyond all that we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).  Instead of letting difficulties draw us into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for God's glorious intervention.   Love that!

*I am reading in Genesis now and today's section was about Abraham and Sarah. If you don't know the story- God promised them a child, and many, many descendants.  It was YEARS before he came through. God had their best interests in mind, he KNEW what their desire was, but it was on HIS timing.  They got tired of waiting, so they manipulated the situation for a son and had Abraham impregnate a servant, Hagar. Though God still kept his promise to them, their decision and impatience made for dire consequences with Ishmael, the illegitimate son.  Abraham and Sarah had to wait much longer than THEY thought for Isaac, and in fact, they pretty much thought it was ridiculous when God did come through because it didn't make sense. But God's promise to them never changed. It just didn't match up with their idea of how it should go. (The story of my life!)    

At this stage in our lives, Brian and I have been blessed with a great community of friends all over the nation.  We are walking with many of them through some really rough times.  Their circumstances stink.  In fact, they aren't fair.  It seems like God is not coming through. My guess is that either you or someone you love is in the same place. 

Even today, hours after I read this- I received an email from our agency with an updated list of wait times for paperwork/court dates AFTER we have chosen our child.  They are already longer. More paperwork= increased wait times. Immediately I became anxious.  And then I was reminded- God is able to do more than I can ask or imagine.  We know he has called us on this journey- so if (and when) it get harder and more frustrating I want to choose to wait for God's glorious intervention rather than live in anxiety and fear.  

And that is what I am praying and believing for our friends as well.  For some, life stinks right now.  Circumstances are heartbreaking.  But our God is bigger and He has not forgotten.  He WILL come through.