When You’re Waiting For The Promise

She sat there in her chair and motioned me over. She didn’t even know my name, but she didn’t have to. She held out her hands, and I knew I needed to grab on tight. I leaned in so I could hear her above the crowd. “He will do it. Turn it over,” she said simply, her eyes searching mine. I wasn’t expecting that. It took a second for those words to seep in deeply where they belonged. As I clung to her hands, my heart clung to her God-given words, and the only words I could muster as I choked back tears were “Thank you.”

I cried when I got home because of those words. I cried because of how good God is.

I cried because she had no idea what God had promised me and how hard my heart wrestles with believing it.

I cried because the enemy got a punch in the face that night because of my faith being fueled.

I cried because God has given me confirmation after confirmation because He knows me wholly and He knows my needs.

I cried because even though my head may get in the way sometimes, my heart is surrendered.

I cried because I trust my God at His word.

I don’t always trust God easily. It’s actually really hard to trust Him sometimes, isn’t it? Even after all he’s done and the times we can recall his faithfulness, we still forget. We still get discouraged along the way. We still get the “Did God really say that?” moments. We still want to throw in the towel at the first sign of hardship.

That woman’s word for me that night was so timely because I was definitely facing extreme doubt that God was going to come through. Honestly, I still have good days and bad days. But, I know the truth and I NEED to remind myself of it daily. The truth is, God is faithful. No ifs, ands or buts. God is a promise keeper. He doesn’t go back on His word — He can’t because it’s not in His nature. God will finish what He started … His Word tells us that.

The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. –Psalm 145:13b

Maybe you’re waiting on a promise too. Maybe you’re asking God when and trying to figure out the missing pieces. I’m in your boat, friend, and we are not alone.

Before his son Isaac was ever in the picture, God gave Abraham the specific promise that he would be the father of many nations. Joseph dreamed that people would bow down to him, and then he was sold into slavery. Simeon was promised that he would not see death until he met Jesus, and he was getting up there in age. Noah was told to have the ark made before a single drop of rain fell. David was anointed king years and years before he sat on the throne. I could go on and on.

It’s so hard when we don’t have answers and are left in confusion and doubt and even despair. It doesn’t make sense when the miracle isn’t here yet. It doesn’t make sense when the door is slammed in our face. It doesn’t make sense when we can barely hang on. But, what we do have is the fact that God will deliver and His timing is everything. In the waiting, He is working. I don’t know what He’s promised you specifically, but I do know that all His promises are “yes and amen.”

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. –2 Corinthians 1:20

What can you do in the wait?

Give it to Him and give it to Him again and again. He doesn’t get tired of us. He doesn’t turn His eyes away. He doesn’t ignore our pleas. He accepts us as we are. Just like that.

Claim that promise. Speak out your “amen” to it repeatedly, and I do mean out loud. Remind the enemy that you believe your God. Remind yourself to keep pressing on, even if you can’t see the breakthrough.

Press into Jesus. Allow Him to comfort your heart and renew you. Let Him keep proving how faithful He is.

Don’t focus on the promise. Focus on Jesus. Let the promise be a good thing, but let your King always be the great thing. He is always your prize. The promises are just bonuses along the way.

Friend, here I am, holding your hands tight, looking you right in the eye and saying, “He will do it. Turn it over.”