Encouragement in Seasons of Waiting

First off, Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing mamas out there!

This week’s scripture is a special one!

Some of us might be very familiar with this story, but I hope as we memorize this week’s verse it refreshes our perspective as only scripture can do.

Many scriptures feel like coming home to me and this is one of them. Let’s picture the scene together. Before his adventures, Abram was living in a familiar place with familiar people. Day after day had looked the same, though he and his wife, Sarai, have no children despite praying to God for them. Though they had been promised a child, the waiting continued.

But they are faithful with what they have. Even after losing a loved one (Abram’s brother) they have been faithfully caring for his child like he was their own. They are raising him and bringing him along in their journey to follow the Lord’s commands when he told them to “go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

Although Abram and Sarai knew the Lord’s promises never return empty, waiting without seeing results is challenging isn’t it? We know in our minds the Bible is true. But so often it is our hearts that need the encouragement. It is comforting to me that these giants of the faith, Abram and Sarai, were no different than we are.

Then one night Abram has another vision. The Lord appears to him, telling him not to be afraid. Isn’t that just like God? He disrupts our days, waiting and struggles, with words of life, encouragement and hope. The Lord speaks words of comfort to him saying “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Genesis 15:1b).

Abram honestly responds to the Lord. This can encourage us to always keep our conversations and prayers honest too, by the way. He says that while he does trust God, he is still concerned that he has no child. Of course, God could have chided Abram for not trusting in Him. He could have said "tell your heart to get behind your mind."

And of course, we do need to do this!

But God reminds him gently and addresses his emotions, not just his mind.

He lovingly takes him outside and tells him look at the stars. He reminds him, with a beautiful visual of the night sky, of the truth. Whatever he might be feeling, the truth is his future generations will be as numerous as the stars. He and Sarai will receive their promise.

Through this reminder, we can know that our God keeps His promises to us too.

When we feel confused or afraid or when we are waiting for promises to be fulfilled, we can trust the Lord to provide. We will need reminders because we are human. God knows this about us. This is why he gave us 66 books of reminders, aside from all the stories of ways He has provided in our lives, to show us His faithful character!

So friends, this week we encourage you to remember all the ways God has been faithful to keep his promises. As we can continue to reflect Genesis 15:6, we can trust that in whatever situation we are in, we hold fast to this truth.