God Waits Too

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

In the days since my last post (on waiting) something just keeps lingering in my mind...that God understands what it feels like to wait. He waits too. As the Scripture above states, God waits for everyone to come to repentance, to salvation. Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in...." (I love that exclamation mark after "Here I am!") He knocks at the hearts of everyone...and waits...not wanting anyone to perish.

The whole chapter of Isaiah 55 is an "Invitation to the Thirsty," not just the call to accept salvation, but to receive continual satisfaction. We read, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David." (v. 1-3)

He also waits for us daily...even hourly...probably even minute-ly...to come to Him...to "Seek Him first...." (Matt. 6:33) Have you ever imagined Him watching you sleep, waiting for your eyes to open? Do you wake with thoughts that flow toward Him? Do you wake with a thankful heart? Do you begin your day with prayer...conversation with Him? And do you seek a Word from Him to start your day? I think He waits each morning. Can you fathom that? The God of creation waits for you.

And I think He continues to watch over us and wait throughout the day...as He asks us to "...call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Whether it's thoughts of gratitude and praise, or the need for help...yes, He wants us to ask for help when we need it. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) In Luke 11:9, we are told to "Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find...." He waits.

And you know what else I think He waits for? Do you know the song "The Midnight Cry"? There is a line that says, "I can almost see the Father, saying, 'Son, go get my children.' And at the midnight cry we'll be going home." Yes, I think He waits for that.

Lord, so often when we think of waiting, we just think of how you are developing patience within us or working for some higher purpose. We don't often think of how much you understand the concept. Thank you for the waiting that you do. Thank you for your amazing, unfailing love for us...one that waits...for us to accept you, to "come after [You]...deny [ourselves], take up [our] cross and follow [You]. (Matt. 16:24) Thank you for the promise that we are your children...and that one day we will be going home to spend eternity with you.