Are We There Yet, How Much Longer?

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

Good Morning Girlfriends:

Flipping through pamphlets over and over again, looking for the right package to buy to take the family on a vacation that was packed full of fun things to do, took much deep planning to make sure it was in the budget and would be fun for all. The van had to be packed just right too make sure everyone was able to take everything they need for the trip. Going down through the list of items took a little time, as we made sure nothing was forgotten. With much chatter and excitement to see where were going, it would never fail as we drove to hear the words, "Are we there yet and how much longer," being only a short time driving. Children's music was usually played on the drive to keep them occupied, and games were played along the way, but with the excitement and impatience of a child, it was hard for them not to ask, are we there yet.

After a few times of the question being asked, I would explain to the children, in a way, hoping that they would understand, ..."When the vehicle stops, and we tell you we are here, then you will know when we are at our destination," I didn't think I could say it any simpler that that. After that the children were pretty good, until the next time we went on vacation and it would start all over again.

Look at the Isrealites, who Moses was leading through the desert to get to the promise land, they wandered for forty days and nights. They walked around mumbling and complaining about not having the good food that they were used to, not having their bed to lie down on, fighting and bickering amongst one another, and wondering how long it was going to take to get to this place called "The Promise Land." They too were like us, as we wait for God to help us over to the other side of our situations that we go through. We may complain and say how much longer to God, or may ask Him why do I have to go through this, because I don't like it.

Girlfriends, I'm sure we have asked a question like that at some point during a trial or a test, it's hard for us to be patient and wait at times, especially if one knows what is waiting on the other side of it. What about the times when we don't know what's on the other side of our test, what do we do then...we still wait on God. His word tells us in Psalm 46:10, to be still and know that He is God. What does that mean, because we like to try to do things ourselves to move thing along a little faster right? God is telling us to stop trying to do things to help, stop trying to figure it all out. It is God who has it all in control, He knows the beginning to the end, He knows what He's doing and He really doesn't need our help at all.

Like the Isrealites who wandered through the wilderness, we too can slow down the process of what God is doing by mumbling and complaining, or even getting upset with God during our waiting period. As we wait on God's perfect timing in our situation, it does two things for us: It grows our faith while we are forced to wait and trust in God, and it makes it certain that God alone gets all of the praise and the glory for pulling us through our situations. Psalm 31:15 says, "MY times are in your hands." And that they are, God has a time for everything, He and He alone knows the right time for it to all come to pass. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is a time for everything, and God knows just the right timing, even though we have a hard time waiting. One thing I have learned during the wait, it makes time go by faster if we worship while we wait. In stead of complaining let's worship and praise God through it. The wait will not seem to be as long when we worship and we praise, God in habits our praise, He loves it. (Psalm 22:3) Time will go by so much faster when we praise instead of complaining, and as we do, we are focusing on God who is working behind the scene, therefore, it stops the enemy from getting into our minds to complain about the wait. It makes sense doesn't it?

Let's Pray,

Father God, I thank you for another day to praise you. I thank you for the breath that you give us each day to sing praise and worship who you are. Lord, I lift up all the dear ones who may be going through a dry place in their life right now, Lord help them to remember that when we keep our focus on You, as we lift up our hands in praise to You, it will help us to get through the test with greater joy and ease, because it will be that much quicker that You will take them through to the other side of whatever it is. Right now I thank You in advance for taking each one through their test with flying colors, as they praise their way through, in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Be blessed dear ones and pass the blessings on wherever you go so that others may see Jesus lifted high.