The clouds could claim the skies
And darkness drown the night
Time may flop or drag its feet
Disappointments scare the heart
History may stretch and repeat
Delays becloud the promise
Yet God sits above to watch
Every Word, every walk
Ordering steps, exploiting odds
Matching times, filling gaps to make it
Perfect for those who trust, who wait
On the Giver and Keeper of sure promises.
I received a photo that has stuck, etched in my heart, stirring brimming praises to God of wonders beyond our imaginations. I have received many photos and always will from this source but this particular one set roots of gratitude, with shoots of thankfulness waving ceaseless to the One with whom nothing is ever too late or impossible. It is the picture of my friend and her sweetheart.
The glow in their eyes says it all; that God is faithful; that if He has promised He will do it no matter what gets in the way, no matter how long it may take. She kept herself in the face of temptations, she held to God’s promises unwavering. Not once did I see her flounder at God’s Word, not once did she doubt the possibility of God fulfilling His Word. You would think that men would be drawn to purity, for preservation but that is not often the case. Yet, she embraced disappointments with courage rather than be soiled – all because of God.
It has been years of waiting and believing and trusting God, from one new year to the other but she hung in there, relentless in her faith and service to God until due time, … until her turn came. And in a twinkle of an eye, that quiet and gentle soul metamorphosed into this amazon that keeps me hours on the phone: I am amazed at the new life I am privileged to witness, the wonders of her transformation, and the power of God to preserve purity in these times and days it is increasingly despised and disparaged. And the most beautiful part of it all: everything is falling in place, in time. We struggle when we tend to lead or lag with God, when we push or force things and times. In due season, there is no need for struggles.
By simply living, she is breaking countless records we never knew she was capable of and her only teacher is the Holy Spirit. “How did you learn all of that?” I would ask and her response reminds me of the very words God told me years back, “Nobody teaches a fish to swim or a child to suckle. Nature answers its own in its time.” Knowing her, it is a miracle to behold: I am in awe of what God can do with and for one who holds firm to the end.
I don’t know what God promised you “donkey” years ago but hear me: hold tight and hold fast to His promises. It may take longer than expected but He never fails. Don’t let disappointment steal your hope. Don’t let frustration suck you into desperation. Don’t let your situation define you. And don’t let people define you by that situation. In a twinkle of an eye God can do what eyes have not seen, what ears have not heard, what hearts have not imagined, to honor the faith of the patient. Believe me, God still does exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond human imaginations in these times and days, for those who won’t give up on Him.
In awe of Him
Glory!