Waiting
by Tanya Person
As I read this Scripture, close to the beginning of this New Year, it really resonated in me. Naaman had been told that there was a man of God who could heal him, so he went expecting something. He was waiting expectantly, in hope of healing.
Everywhere I look this year I’m seeing an increased emphasis on prayer; not bringing our needs to God, but waiting on God in prayer. In Isaiah 40:31 we’re told, ‘Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength’. In the NIV and NLT versions of the Bible that word ‘wait’ is translated ‘trust’. Waiting on God is trusting Him. Trusting God, waiting on His timing, His way of working in our lives, resting in Him – all of these are an important part of our prayer life.
The story of Naaman goes on to say that Elisha sent his servant down to tell Naaman to go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman was NOT happy! This wasn’t what he had in mind! He was expecting the great man of God to come down, wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God! Do you see the parallel with our own lives? How often do we wait expecting God to do something in the way that we think He should, and He tells us to go do something that we see as completely unreasonable! It doesn’t make sense to us. But Naaman had good people around him who encouraged him to do this simple thing, even though it seemed ridiculous, and, through the act of obedience, God healed him!
When we’re in those times of waiting, we should be listening for God’s instructions. Once we have His instructions, we need to be obedient to do what He’s told us to do. Then we can still wait expectantly for God to do even more than all we could hope or imagine! What an exciting thought! If we can get past our disappointment of God not answering us the way we expected Him to answer, we’ll see how amazingly He’s answering us.
I would like to encourage us all to wait on God in a new way. Wait with expectation for Him to speak to us and give us directions of what to do, and then have the boldness to go and do what He’s told us to do.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I’ve been disappointed that You didn’t answer my prayers my way. Please help me to wait on You with open expectation, so I can see what You’re doing, and I can walk in obedience to You. I choose today to wait on You! Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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