I have a bug bite on my toe that has become infected, and the infection has spread up my leg a bit. For a few days now I’m having to sit with my foot up as it heals. I have been seen by the medical people and am on meds. Little by little it’s getting better…but only little by little. If I could have a magic wand I’d wave it over my foot and say “presto chango!” Then it would be whole. HA HA…what an idea!
If there’s one thing I know it’s that God does not work on our time schedule. He teaches us patience whether we want to learn or not. In fact, we have to be patient in order to learn patience. It’s a lesson that’s doubled somehow because learning it will require some of it. Think of patience as a perfume. We put a teaspoon of patience that He has already given us into His Hand and then He adds a tablespoon to it. In time we’re putting a tablespoon in His Hand and He adds a cup. This goes up a bit at a time and before we know it we’re pouring vats of it on His Lap and He adds the ocean to our vats!
In doing this we learn how to “wait on the Lord.”
Why do we have to wait like this? I’ve asked God this question on tons of occasions and there’s one verse that sticks out to me that I want to share with everyone. I said, “I want this NOW and you’re holding back! You know that I need to have this, I know You want me to have this, what’s the deal?”
Here is what God said to my heart. He gave me Exodus 23:27-30. The backstory is that God is instructing His people on what will happen when they go into the Promised Land. Part of His words are these:
27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”
So now when I moan about God being slow, The Spirit stamps those words into my mind: “Little by little…”
There are many reasons why God chooses to take His time in your situation. One is to strengthen your faith. He isn’t a Genie. Another is that He spaces out the temptations you’ll face and the battles you’ll fight and overcome. One day at a time, one battle at a time, and one victory at a time. Each battle is different. In one you’ll need to speak scripture, using the “sword of The Spirit.” In one you’ll need to hold your “shield of faith” up. In one, you’ll need to kick your feet that have shoes of “the gospel of peace.” The battles are all different and you’ll learn how to fight as you listen to The Spirit tell you what to do. The perfume of patience increases with each battle.
Once God told me, “Ivy, you will not move My Hand.” I can take you to the place in Apex where I heard this word. It’s hard to try NOT to help Him. Now isn’t that funny? Hey y’all…let’s help God know that He needs to hurry! Ha! Now of course we need to pray these words…it’s important to pour our hearts out to Him. Everything we feel, everything we need to say, we have to say. I still say in my prayers, “God! I need this now – please!!” And sometimes again I see those words. “Little by little…” Sometimes He gives what I asked for that very day! Again, God knows how to time things properly.
He knows our hearts and loves us in the middle of our moaning and groaning. But when we go along with His Spirit and His timing, then we find that things are new and different and beautiful. The wait is more than worth it in the end. More than worth it.
I’m writing this on my front porch, sitting in the rocking chair, with my feet up. It’s raining gently, a sweet and fragrant summer rain. I wish you were here, too. God reminds me in every drop that He will supply all of my needs like rain, pouring down from His Throne everything I need this day and every day. As the rain slows down, the sky is getting lighter and the dark gray clouds have passed by. The breeze lasts a long time and I breathe it all in. In time He brings my healing. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, He provides healing. He is Jehovah Rapha – The God Who Heals. He is here with me. I feel His Presence.
He is with you even now. Take a moment to breathe in His Breath – the oxygen that you breathe came from Him in the beginning. As I’ve written before, you breathe His breath every moment of your life. Try to remember that often. Walk with Him this day and lean on His wisdom for your patience. One day at a time you’ll receive everything you need.
Jesus. He’s Everything you need… Amen.