Wait-Fors and Expectations

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In years past, I made a New Years resolution right along with many people. Resolutions are nothing more than set goals with a new title. Some of my yearly goals I actually kept, but many more went by the wayside.

Over the last decade I have begun asking God to direct me to a specific Bible verse to stand on for each year. For example, as 2020 began and sequed into 2021 the scripture was Isaiah 33:6, in part “…and He will be the stability of your times…” We were not yet aware of Covid in January of 2020, but obviously God knew, and I was given the verse for comfort throughout that challenge. I sincerely needed that scripture to cling to as almost everything in our world was turned upside down.

In 2022, there were two scriptures that were graciously given to me for direction. One was, “Pray without ceasing.” I Thess. 5:17 Impossible to do intellectually but very attainable spiritually. I think our spirit prays all the time without our even knowing it. The second was, also in part, “…having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…” Ephesians 1:18-19(a) God knew I would need to be reminded that the “eyes of my heart” were enlightened, and his “incomparably great power”was for me in the midst of some health and relationship challenges.

My 2023 supportive verses(s) seem to be leaning toward the concept of waiting. Wait-fors are never easy. All wait-fors are a blend of asperity wrapped in anticipation. We all groan a little when we have to be patient and watch. I remember as a child it seemed torturous to wait for birthdays, then the start of school and subsequently the start of summer break. My list grew with teen years as I waited for new friends, first date, and high school graduation. Adulthood brought the wait-fors of first “real” job, wedding day, children, college and career, grandchildren and yes, retirement. All goals, all resolutions in a sense.

Isaiah 25:9 says, “‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he would save us. This is the LORD; we waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” I will cling to that in 2023. Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” My hope for 2023 is grounded in the Bible.

There is a song that has been replaying in my mind lately. It comes from an old Scottish hymn, but has been recorded several times in variations—by Keith Getty, and Shane and Shane most recently. I cannot get the refrains out of my head, and it is appropriately named, I Will Wait. It is so good, I strongly suggest you give it a listen!

The refrains go like this: (1) “ I will wait for you, I will wait for you, On your word I will rely. I will wait for you, surely wait for you, until my soul is satisfied.” (2) “I will wait for you, I will wait for you, Through the storm and through the night. I will wait for you, surely wait for you, For your love is my delight.” This is my prayer for my New Year.

I am reminded that I should look with hope for whatever the Lord will do this year. I should have a feeling of anticipation, not gloom and doom. Whatever God exposes, creates or transforms in this world, or in me—it will be a good thing once completed. I want to please the Lord with the right attitude in this. We will know the favor of God if we do have the right mindset, because he says in Isaiah 30:18(b), “ For the LORD is a God of justice, blessed are ALL those who wait for him.” (emphasis mine). How valued by God is our waiting on him!

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“Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him; waiting before Him until the dust settles and the stream runs clear.” -A.W. Tozer