Waiting…“to stay in place in expectation of.”
There is this anticipation. There is this longing of something we desire to be finally here.
The Israelites had longed and awaited to be freed from their captivity from Egypt. Generations longing for the deliverance and for them to finally be free.
“When Lord? When will it be?”
“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” Exodus 2:23-25
God always has a plan. Every circumstance has purpose.
His ways are higher than our own and since the beginning of time, His plan was for us to be reconciled to Him again.
How Lord? When, Lord?
They waited and waited. Then, God chose a Hebrew man, Moses, who was saved from death and raised by the very people who decreed his people to be slaves.
Moses chose to be obedient and lead God's people. He was born a Jew, protected by God and raised by the people who had killed his very own people.
Moses lived a royal life, but after a series of events, He was called and chosen to be a vessel for God and for His people. God called him to the burning bush in Exodus 3 because the time had come for his people to be free and know their true God.
Moses knew in his own capability he wouldn’t be able to do this on his own.
He wrestled back and forth with God asking Him what to say. Who was he to be the one to do this? He had fear, doubt, and was not qualified.
Yet, God.
Over and over He told Moses who He is. It was not dependent on his own strength but in the Lords.
“God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”” Exodus 3:14
Moses was obedient to the Lord and God provided the way for His people to finally be free. He protected them when He parted the Red Sea. He provided manna from the sky so they would not hunger. As they longed to enter this land, there was still this waiting.
Waiting, again.
He called them to rest in the waiting. To rest in His presence even in the desert. To rest in His faithfulness and to know He is still God.
When, Lord?
Some waited, some didn’t. He called them to remember and establish who the I AM is. God called them to rest in the waiting because the time had not yet come. Not in the idols of Egypt or the things of man, but HIM.
Moses began to wonder and wait. He was obedient to do what God had called him to do, but it wasn’t just the land they were waiting for.
He waited even when the people were distraught to the point they thought it was better to go back to Egypt. Moses rested on the mountaintops hearing from God, the other could not wait.
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”” Psalm 46:10
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7
God called them to rest in Him. To trust Him not only in the victories, but also in the desert and valley. When it was commanded to wait and be still, to believe that He is the same God who is able.
It wasn’t just the land they were waiting for. It wasn’t just to finally be free from captivity. God was preparing and calling them to wait for their KING.
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.” Isaiah 42:1-4
The people were waiting and anticipating but they missed the joy and rest God had for them. Then some, like Moses, encountered Him in a way where they required faith, obedience, rest, and trust. It was not easy, but time and time again God was making a way for His Son to bring reconciliation for us.
God would fulfill His promises by bringing forth His Son, Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, the awaited King was here.
And this is our hope.
That we can rest in His presence in the waiting because HE will be faithful.
Even in the valleys and deserts, even when it’s hard to hold on, there is rest in the waiting. Because we see this with Jesus. Waiting. Anticipating. Resting, because we have no fear. Jesus came. He is coming back and He is with you today.
~ Sarah Moon