WAITING ON GOD’S PROMISE
(week 44/16)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Hebrews 10:35-39 KJV: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Here the scriptures enjoin us NOT to cast away our confidence when it looks like the manifestation of God’s promise to us is being delayed.
Generally, this is true for ALL (2 Corinthians 1:20) the promises of God; but it is particularly true of THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE MADE MANIFEST IN OUR MORTAL FLESH:
1John 2:25 KJV: And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life
2Corinthians 4:10-11 KJV: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (11) For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Psalms 133:3 KJV: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
We should NOT CAST AWAY OUR CONFIDENCE because our faith will be rewarded GREATLY.
There is usually a period of time BETWEEN when God gives a promise and when the promise comes into physical manifestation.
For instance, it took about 24 hours for the fig tree the Lord Jesus cursed to wither (Mark 11.12-21); 3 days for Esther to get favour with King Ahasuerus (Esther 4:16-5.3); 21 days for Daniel’s answer to prayer to come (Daniel 10:12-14) and 25 years for Abraham to obtain the promise of the birth of Isaac (Genesis 12:2-4; 17:15,16).
Why does God allow this time delay?
To perfect our character with the fruit of patience, humility and love:
Hebrews 10:36 KJV: For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
What is this will of God?
When a sufficient amount of patience, humility and love has been developed in our hearts to enable us enjoy the blessings of the promise of God and not lose the blessing through pride.
James 1:3-4 AMP: Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (4) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Romans 5:3-4 MP: Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. (4) And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.
How do we wait on God’s promise?
By actively watching and praying;
Romans 12:12 NKJV: rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Selah!
