04/27/2020
The word yet is an interesting word, isn’t it? It’s not one we hear often or even think about very much. It’s a small word used to combine two phrases or sentences. It means nevertheless or until a specified time. It’s just a small three letter word but when seen in the light of God’s word, it is one that holds hope and purpose, and promise.
Sometimes the yet comes in our waiting. When God answers our prayers with a “not yet” it’s disappointing, but we can be confident of His protection and provision. God may delay the answer to our prayers, but He never wastes the time while we wait. He uses our waiting to bring about something far better than we could ask or imagine. Waiting pushes us to pursue God. It urges us to keep praying and keep hoping. Waiting in the “not yet” challenges us to want what He wants for us and shifts our focus from our desires to Him.
Throughout Scripture we see God’s people waiting. The Israelites waited for a promised land. Jacob waited for the wife he loved. Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth all waited for a child, and all of creation waited for the promised Messiah. And, Wow!! Didn’t God come through?! The Israelites came home, but saw God fight for them while they waited. Jacob finally married Rachel, but saw God prosper him in the meantime. Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth all held their sweet babies and saw God use those children greatly because God said not yet, and Jesus, our long awaited Messiah, what hope we have because He came at just the right time. Because He lived, died, and lives again, we have a promise for eternity and peace with God!
Waiting is hard! Let’s just be real. We needed that money in the bank yesterday. We need those test results from the doctor to be alright. We need our relationships mended. I believe God wants to answer our prayers, but I believe He wants us more. What will you do with your wait? What will you get out the “not yet”?
