Waiting for God

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, James 1-4.

Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

Waiting for God was written by Leslie Coe and read by Stephen Taber.

James 1-2-8

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Such a person is double-minded and unstable and all they do.

Waiting for God written by Leslie Coe.

Joseph combed the job listings frustratedly.

Previous jobs as a waiter had paid well, but regular weekend shifts, typical of the restaurant industry,

made it hard for him as a new believer in Jesus to attend church regularly.

Why doesn't God answer my prayer, he lamented, wouldn't he want me to attend church?

It took a year before Joseph saw that he had to adjust his expectations and try a different industry

where he finally found a job with regular weekday shifts.

Thinking God, he realized how the long wait had made him more mature in making decisions.

This job change process had also taught Joseph what it means to persevere in life and trust in God to reveal his plans in his time.

That's what James told Jewish believers in Jesus, who were scattered and facing trials, encouraging them not to give up.

He said in James 1,

let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.

The process of asking God for wisdom, waiting and standing firm, would not only nurture their patience and trust in God,

but also help them grow in maturity as they learned more about themselves and God.

Waiting for God's answer can be tough, but it makes us more mature and steadfast.

Strengthens our faith and gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to trust God.

Let's pray, Lord, teach us to wait patiently for your timing and guidance, trusting that every delay shapes our character and strengthens our faith.

Help us persevere with hope, growing in wisdom and maturity as we learn to rely fully on you.

Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

As you go about your day, reflect on these questions.

What's the hardest part of waiting for God's answer to prayers?

How can you draw on his strength to keep trusting in him?

Amen.