How To Wait on God When You Want “It” Now
I wonder how many of us are more like Veruca Salt than we care to admit.
Remember her . . . she’s the character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory who sang…
I Want It Now
I want the world.
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
I want the whole world…
I want the works
I want the whole works
Presents and prizes and sweets and surprises
Of all shapes and sizes
And now
Don’t care how
I want it now!
When facing a difficult situation or waiting for an unattained desire, it’s easy to say . . . “I don’t care how I want it now!”
But our Heavenly Father is more interested in our long-term/eternal well-being than He is in our immediate satisfaction. So . . . sometimes He chooses to allow us to wait.
In Psalm 44, the people were surrounded by their enemies and their defeat seemed imminent. But they didn’t give up. They turned to God and repeated all the things they knew about Him.
O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
Psalm 44:1, 3
our ancestors have told us
of all You did in their day,
in days long ago:
They did not conquer the land with their swords;
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was Your right hand and strong arm
and the blinding light from Your face that helped them,
for You loved them.
God is and always has been the One who gives victory and even when we’re faced with potential defeat we can trust Him to help us.
But then and now people wonder why He doesn’t act more quickly.
I’m guessing you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there right now.
Like Veruca . . . we all have a tendency to want what we want . . . NOW!
We don’t want to wait when we need healing or financial rescue. We don’t want to wait when we long for a child or a relationship to be restored. We don’t want to wait when we desire a spouse, a home, or a new job. And we definitely don’t want to wait when we need God to give us victory over life’s battles.
But sometimes He’s quiet and He has us wait. The writer of this Psalm even questioned whether or not God was sleeping…
Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Psalm 44:23–24
Get up! Do not reject us forever.
Why do you look the other way?
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
Often God allows us to wait so we’ll pause and SEEK Him, remember what He’s done in the past, and recognize that He is trustworthy in the present and the future. He is faithful and loving and He will always do what is best for us eternally.
And when you and I wait, placing our complete trust in God’s love, we will be able to say with David…
We wait for the Lord;
Psalmm 33:20–22
He is our help and shield.
For our hearts rejoice in Him
because we trust in His holy name.
May your faithful love rest on us, Lord,
for we put our hope in You.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Wait on God When You Want “It” Now
Father, You are so very good and gracious. You have watched over Your people since the beginning of time and You will continue to watch over them throughout eternity. You have always been and will always be faithful to keep Your promises.
You defeated the enemy of our souls through Your love and Jesus’ loving sacrifice. You watch over us and protect us throughout our lives. You promise that when we SEEK You with all our hearts we will find our heart’s desire.
You promise that when we truly KNOW and TRUST You the desire of our hearts will align with Your will. And that when we faithfully KNOCK on the door that leads to knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding, You will open the door to those blessings.
Please forgive my impatience. When life is hard, I want it fixed immediately. I want You to take away the pain, the stress, the anxiety, the grief. I want you to give me what I want now.
But You only want what is best for me. You care about my eternal best more than my temporary pleasure. So, I ask that You will help me and make Your will my greatest heart. Please help me trust You with every moment of life. Please help me SEEK You above every perishable thing I think I want right now. I give myself to You. Please guide me and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I think Psalms like this one are helpful because they address realities we all face at times.
Every one of us can relate to difficult seasons of waiting. We’ve all wanted something NOW.
While Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote…
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
God gives peace to those who know that they can trust the Lord even when He allows them to wait.
May God bless you and give you everything you need while you wait on Him.
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
Never Miss an Update
Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…
Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…
A wonderful post this morning, Deb! We live in an “instant gratification” and very impatient
society these days! And sadly I think it is part of the reason so much evil is abounding too. Instead of working hard and saving for a purchase, let’s go steal or rob or kill someone else. And road rage, blows my mind. So much traffic these days, why are we so impatient that we will just shoot someone that we don’t think is going fast enough or tries to get around us! Some think God is supposed to be a “genie in a bottle,”
but I know God’s plan for me is for my good and His timing is always best! I love Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I believe that every thing, every situation we go through, good or bad that God has a purpose for it, for us. With God, we can be at peace and find contentment…and put all other anxious thoughts aside. Praying everyone has a blessed day of contentment! Love you, sweet Deb! I so admire how you come up with your topics and bless us all with God’s Word and His Truths! Hugs dear friend!
You always leave wonderful posts yourself, Kathy!! God bless you today and always.
Sue, I am not sure you will see this reply as it is a late reply to your sweet and uplifting words from yesterday. I am praying for whatever you are going through and struggling with. The burdens and journeys we go through are so very hard sometimes and when we can’t see an end in sight, we do feel so weighed down and so weary. I am lifting you up in prayer and sending all my love and hugs. I wish for you all joy and God’s rainbows to heal your hurts and shine on you and your wonderful spirit! You are so good to uplift and encourage me, and may I please relay that back to you a hundred times over! You also share so much goodness and love by your posts too! Don’t ever sell yourself short! You dear friend, are a blessing to all of us here! And I know that Deb so appreciates your words and is praying for all of us, who share her devotions through her blog. I love you Sue…and I am thanking God for you, this morning!
Kathy,
You always send your message at the most perfect time. I am so thankful for you and for your kindness. Being lifted in prayer by someone is one of the greatest blessings one can receive. I am so blessed by you lifting me up in prayer. Yes, I am going throug a struggle now, a very difficult one because it involves family. I know in my heart that God is working things out for the good. He always does. It may not be like I want it to be, but I know God’s plan is best. Thank you so kindly for your prayers and your encouragement. It really helps.
You are such a compassionate person. Blessings to you my friend.
Thanks so much for sharing Paul’s words. I have to remind myself often that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength . . . even be content in whatever circumstances the Lord allows. I know I can’t on my own but with His help I can wait in faith and trust Him in every situation. Thanks for your sweet encouragement it’s always a wonderful blessing. God be with you, my friend.
Deb, I tried to send a comment, but it kept telling me it was a duplicate. Not sure whether it will show up, but I’m here and so enjoyed your blog this morning! We def live in an “instant gratification” society! But with God, we can have peace, joy, and contentment!! His way and His timing is always best! His will be done, not mine! Blessings, my dear and beautiful friend!
Thanks for your persistence, Kathy! Sometimes during an update, it takes a few minutes for a comment to go live. Blessings!
May I ever be content to wait patiently in God’s time, Deb.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Amen!
From experience, I have learned that God’s timing and mine are not on the same watch. I also have learned that the outcome may not be what I prayed for. You are right when you say that God knows what is best for us and what will serve us better in the long run. The waiting can be very exhausting and stressful, but it is worth it when I see from the past the things he has continously done for me, to be for my good. God is a very compassionate and caring God. These times of waiting build my faith and trust. So, when I am struggling through something, like now, I hold tight to God’s promises. I must wait patiently!!
God bless you my sweet friend for your insight.
I am sorry you are struggling. I’m lifting you up in prayer and asking God to give you everything you need moment by moment. I’m holding His promises close to my heart and waiting on Him, too. Thanks for being such a wonderful encourager. What a blessing that we are able to build each other up in faith and lift each other up in prayer. Blessings and hugs!
Deb,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am so grateful for your prayers and I also will keep you in mine. You are such a wonderful friend to all of us. God has truly blessed us all who have found your posts. I looks so forward to every one of them. Having a person to pray for you is a great blessing. One of the very best things to be done on one’s behalf. Thank you again. I need prayers with this situation. I know that God is going to work it out in his time. I just have to exercise that patience you have talked to us about.
God bless you!
Hi Deb
Thank you for the beautiful topic of how to wait for God. You are right we often want God to hear us now and our way. We need to trust in him that everything is at his time and his will. The only way to understand him and have patience is by believing in him and asking him to give us wisdom, grace, and mercy.
Have a wonderful blessed weekend! ????
Thank you, Ana! That is so true . . . waiting on Him in faith is the only way to have what we need each day. May He bless you and fill you with peace, joy, and everything you need now. Blessings!