God acts on behalf of those who wait ∙∙
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down. – Isaiah 64:1
Psalms 18:1-13
1 He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: I love you, LORD; you are my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
3 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.
4 The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.
5 The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.
6 But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.
7 Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger.
13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals.
The Battle of the Alamo was a 13-day siege that met its tragic end on March 6, 1836, with the majority of the defenders being slaughtered by General Santa Anna’s forces. Throughout the siege, the commander, William B. Travis, sent numerous letters seeking additional men and resources, but less than 100 reinforcements arrived.
Faced with the overwhelming Mexican army, General Sam Houston decided against rushing to their aid with his inadequately trained troops. Instead, he initiated a series of tactical retreats to buy time to get his soldiers ready for battle.
Houston’s strategic withdrawals were met with resentment by his officers and soldiers, who criticized him for not being eager to fight the Mexicans. His insistence on proper military training was also met with resistance. His officers and troops were infuriated. However, after nearly a month of tactical pullbacks, the moment to act had arrived. The waiting was over. Houston commanded his men to confront Santa Anna’s forces at his chosen location.
On April 21, 1836, the forces under Houston initiated an attack, which resulted in a resounding defeat for the Mexican troops. Santa Anna was taken prisoner and forced into signing a treaty that recognized the independence of Texas.
For the Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of heroic resistance, and their rallying cry became “Remember the Alamo!” Hence, the Lone Star Republic was born. Sam Houston emerged as a revered hero, with Texas bestowing numerous honors upon him, including having a city named after him – Houston, Texas.
Many children of the King become disheartened when their Father does not respond according to their expected timeline. Some even struggle to believe that the Father would wish to aid them.
Sadly, skepticism and doubt are an inherent part of the DNA of all fallen beings, including children of the King. When the Father does not act, we simply lose faith. How can we believe in a God who does not ever seem to do anything? We all face this gut-wrenching question at one time or another. We find ourselves caught in the midst of national and international upheaval. Everything is in a state of constant flux. There is no end in sight, and things seem to be getting worse. On top of that, we carry our own heartbreak. We long for the Father to intervene and take action.
The Jewish nation has endured such experiences on numerous occasions. Judah was devastated by the Babylonians, who reduced Jerusalem to ruins. The prophet Isaiah didn’t shy away from expressing their deep-seated doubts.
Isaiah 63:11-15
11 Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?
12 Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand – the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever?
13 Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling.
14 As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.”
15 LORD, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might you used to show on our behalf? Where are your mercy and compassion now?
Did Isaiah pull away because of doubt? Absolutely not. Isaiah drew closer to the Father than ever. He boldly prayed to the Father, seeking His help and guidance.
Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down.
The difficulties we face, and the subsequent doubts we experience are actually remarkable gifts from the Father. They expose our lack of faith and our immense need to strengthen our bond with the Father. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
REFLECT & PRAY
Sadly, we often cannot imagine how God will act on our behalf. Yet He does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. We can confidently expect Him to act when we wait for Him in faith (Stanley).
Father, how often do I pretend I can successfully manage my life independently? But the truth is, I can’t. I am in desperate need of You. Rend the heavens and come down.
INSIGHT
In the bizarre atmosphere of the 21st-century pandemic and post-pandemic fears, lockdowns, and ambivalence regarding vaccination, it seems far easier to lose our temper and our good sense and fall into fear and doubt. From the Father’s perspective, we are simply in a waiting room where hard lessons are taught and hopefully assimilated. Perspective transformation, patience, and hope are among the results.
Why does the Father so often ask us to wait? Waiting has many wonderful outcomes.
1. We discover His plan and purpose.
2. We receive supernatural physical energy and strength. Impatience drains us and wears us down. Actively waiting on Him energizes us. Waiting on Him is never wasted time!
3. We win battles. We overcome when we do things in His way and in His time. We are kept from foolish and precipitous acts.
4. We see our faith substantiated and realized. We are never put to shame or embarrassed by waiting on Him (Isaiah 49:23).
5. We see God working on our behalf. The Father works for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4) (Stanley).
Although we are the children of the king, due to our fallen DNA, waiting is one of the most challenging things for us to do. Yet, waiting is not time wasted. The Father uses these times to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait, the Father produces benefits that often are quite unexpected (Stanley).
Isaiah 49:23 Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.
The Father is our great hero; He also has a city named after Him: The City of God.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-28-1
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 