The Waiting Room

INTRODUCTION

Many times, we feel discouraged, thinking God has forgotten us. You might have prayed, and it seems your prayer doesn't even pass the roof of your room. You might have stayed too long in your prayer room, waiting for the time of your divine appointment, but it hasn't come forth yet. Don't be weary; WAIT in the waiting room. He will answer you because He is never too late. When you think He is late, it's the time He wants you to know He has good timing for you.

The Waiting Room is a room one stays to tarry in the place of prayer. It is a place where one seeks for solution from God towards a particular issue. Many leave the Waiting Room so quickly without receiving answers to their supplications while some leave at the verge of their testimony as a result of being tired of waiting any longer. Matthew 26:36-46 (Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane) - This passage depicts Jesus' time of intense prayer in the garden before His crucifixion. He asked His disciples to wait with Him while He prayed, but they kept falling asleep. Jesus, however, persisted in prayer, demonstrating the importance of persevering in the waiting room of prayer until the answer was received. It is one thing to be in the waiting room and another thing to be serious in the waiting room. Jesus was SERIOUS in the waiting room but his disciples were SLUMBERING in their waiting room. So, it is sacrosanct to be serious in the waiting room. Let us also remember that the scripture in Lamentation 3 verse 25 said “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him”.

Do you know we should even grow to a level where we can discern when our prayers are answered, pleasing God like a sweet-smelling savour (Genesis 8:21). WAIT… WAIT… WAIT… Wait until your time of APPOINTMENT from God. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

BIBLICAL REFERENCES THAT STAYED IN THE WAITING ROOM

The Israelites are good examples of people who waited on the Lord (Exodus 16:1-36). Israelites stayed so long in the wilderness after their deliverance from Slavery in Egypt. They found themselves in a waiting period as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. In that waiting period, they faced hunger, hardship, and uncertainties. Yet God provided manna from Heaven, teaching them to rely on him for substances each day. Their time in this wilderness was a period of testing and refinement, preparing them for the blessing that was prepared for them. Also, Abraham and Serah were promised a son by God, yet years passed without the fulfilment of this promise (Genesis 15:1-16, 18:1-15). This promise came to manifestation in their old age. God revealed his faithfulness by granting them a Child (Isaac) when it seemed impossible. My greatest surprise was that they could for many years even when the Promise was coming from God directly. I am cocksure, many would have left the WAITING room for so long and forget that God will still answer their prayers.

David endured so many years of Waiting and persecution before he became the King of Israel as he fled from King Saul. He spent so many years hiding in Caves and facing numerous trials despite being anointed as the future King of Israel. With all these, he remained faithful to his God, trusting in his plan and timing. Because he was able to wait, he ascended to the throne and fulfilled God’s purpose for his life. Also, Daniel was in the waiting room, refusing to defile himself with the King’s delicacies as he sought God’s provision. This steadfastness of Daniel made him receive favour and wisdom from God, distinguishing him from his peers. He trust in God’s timing (Daniel 1:8-20). This insinuates that as we staying the waiting room, we should learn not to defile ourself with sin.

In the waiting room of life, we may face uncertainty, trials, and delays, but we can take comfort in knowing that God is always with us. As we wait patiently upon Him, our faith is strengthened, and we are prepared for the blessings He has in store for us. Just as the Israelites eventually entered the Promised Land, Abraham and Sarah bore a son, and David became king, so too will God fulfill His promises to us in His perfect timing. Let us, therefore, wait upon the Lord with hope and expectancy, knowing that He is faithful to His word.

WAYS TO WAIT ON THE LORD IN THE WAITING ROOM

Johnson Suleiman said “Those who knee in prayer, will never bleed in Battles”. Tarrying in the place of prayer is very important in the waiting room (Phillipian 4:6-7). Do not be anxious about anything, believe in God and trust in him. With this, he is always willing to hear us as we stay in the waiting room with our requests. We also need to endure patiently while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled in the waiting room just as Abraham and Serah did. Hebrews 10:36 encourages, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Lack of enduring in the waiting room may result in not having one’s testimony.

Seeking guidance and strength through studying the Scriptures is also very important in the waiting room. It is not just a room to ask God for things we desire but it is a room where we learn from God and get teaching from him. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Also, it is important to recognize that there is a time and season for everything, and trust that God's timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

CONCLUSION

In life's sacred waiting room, amidst uncertainty, souls find solace. Like Job in his trials, Joseph in prison, and Hannah in her barrenness, our faith is refined. Trusting in God's promise in Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord," we endure, knowing His timing is perfect. Through prayer (Matthew 7:7), perseverance (Romans 12:12), and trust (Proverbs 3:5-6), we find strength. Let's linger in His presence, learning, growing, and ultimately finding fulfillment in His promises, for those who wait on the Lord shall not be weary (Isaiah 40:31). Finally, we must learn that the waiting room isn't just for receiving but also for learning to sustain what God has done for us.

CONFESS THE BELOW:

Lord, grant me patience as I wait. Help me trust Your timing and provision. Make my waiting room a place of growth and intimacy with You. Amen