Also, at that time, people will say, "Look at what’s happened! This is our God! We waited for Him and He showed up and saved us!" — Isaiah 25:9 The Message
Why does God make us wait? I think it has something to do with value. Some of our brothers and sisters are suffering — some of them suffering beyond our comprehension. I wish I could free them from their suffering now, today, this very moment. But I cannot. Some are experiencing what the world would call a string of bad luck. Nothing seems to go right. Things go from bad to worse. Why does God make them wait for their day of deliverance?
I believe long ago God measured all the pain and all the hardship we would experience. Not sloppily or haphazardly, but carefully God measured our pain. This is something only God can do. He understands suffering. He understands the long, slow wait of bleak desolation — of dreams unfulfilled, of hopes fading away, of relentless pain. Only He can look at it all and not be overwhelmed, nor become discouraged.
When God who sees the end from the beginning measured our pain, I believe He came to two conclusions: It will be worth it. And, the second: We will agree that it was worth it.
I am not a woman, so I cannot speak from experience on the topic of labor. But I was present when all four of our children were born, and I know that it wasn’t easy. However, I don’t think my wife would trade away any of our kids just to have that labor erased.
We wait through difficult times. But our sights are set on something bigger and better than all our troubles. God shows up. And nothing will be the same.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.