Darkness often descends upon those who are waiting to receive a promise from God. God allows our faith to be tested to prove its genuineness. (1 Peter 1:6-7) Persevering faith brings great glory to God. King David spent years waiting for Samuel’s prophecy of his coming kingship to be fulfilled. Even though he was anointed king as a young boy, he had to wait for God’s timing. So did Abraham and countless others. Joseph was also a great example. The scriptures say the following about his wait.
Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. Psalm 105:19 (NASB)
How discouraging and dark were those years of captivity in Egypt? How distant and unreal did those boyhood dreams of having authority over his brothers and parents seem? Was he tempted to cast away his confidence? There is no indication that he ever wavered.
The Letter to the Hebrews encourages us to likewise remain strong during our dark days of waiting on God to fulfill his promises to us.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 (NASB)
Jesus told his disciples before he ever went to the cross that he would be crucified, but would rise again after three days. They were not able to grasp or believe his words. As he hung dying on that instrument of torture, the altar upon which he freely gave away his life as payment for our sins, he announced, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He announced to the world, heaven, the angels, demons, Satan, and his Father that his mighty work of redemption was complete. Nothing more needed to be done on his part. All that remained was to wait for God the Father to do his part – the resurrection.
How do you suppose the disciples felt during that Sabbath between the crucifixion and the resurrection? Were they able to rest in and rejoice that, just as in the creation, God had finished his work? Or did they wallow in despair, confusion, and self-pity? What would you have done? What have you done when God has required you to wait for him to fulfill a very specific promise to you? Maybe you are in just such a time right now. How is your faith doing? Is it getting stronger? That is what God wants. That is what happened to Abraham when he had to wait twenty-five years for a promise to be fulfilled.
Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:18-21 (NLT)
Faith is able to wait during dark days because it is focused on God’s faithfulness and it is upheld by God himself. He is the Author and Completer of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
However, Jesus is compassionate when we waver. This is shown in the resurrection account of his appearance to the two disciples who were walking to Emmaus. They had lost hope, but Jesus chose to appear to them before he ever visited his main disciples. How remarkable! In fact, his chief band of disciples still did not believe! If you are struggling to keep the faith during your wait for God to fulfill his word, know that God is there for you. Hang in there, just as King David wrote so long ago.
Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)
