“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.”- Isaiah 64:4
Charles Stanley’s latest book is titled Waiting on God: Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. Dr. Stanley begins Chapter 1 (“How Long, O Lord?”) with the observation that the word never can “stir the deepest fear in the bravest heart.”
1. I’ll never find a job.
2. This will never get better.
3. The Lord will never answer my prayer.
Dr. Stanley asserts this is the lie that begins with our sinful nature, a lie designed to decisively put an end to all our hopes. When we buy into the lie of “never” it’s like driving nails into the coffin of our deepest hopes and dreams. The author goes on to describe the challenge of waiting on God:
“It’s the ability to keep hoping when the nevers of life bombard us- when the minutes and hours, days and years, tick away without any answers to our most passionate pleas at the throne of grace. It’s the faith to hang on to the Father on the long road, when human reason tells us to give up.”
Dr. Stanley adds that we can know for certain that God is working, even though we may not see it. Furthermore, the Father has an awesome plan for us. But He also has a very specific schedule. Dr. Stanley concludes the only “never” we should focus on is that God never will let us down.
Today’s question: What “nevers” have characterized your thinking following your vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “God’s timing and wisdom”
