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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PROMISE (09/02/21)
As I awake in the quiet of early morning, I can hear the sound of much needed rain after a long hot, dry spell. It ushers in a fresher, cooler air, relief not only for me but for the ground also. As I listen I am reminded of the passage of Scripture in the book of Isaiah that says,

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV)

I wonder are you waiting on God for something He has promised you?
Waiting, and wondering if He will ever move to accomplish what He has said to you, whispered into your heart?

You were so sure it was Him, but as the years go by, you wonder if you heard correctly? You doubt if that word was from Him, even though He confirms it repeatedly.

If this is you, be encouraged. You are in good company.

We can read about characters in the Bible who waited for promises to be fulfilled, sometimes for decades, yet they all saw God bring about what He had promised in His time.

And there is the key – in His time! And in His way! Think of Abraham, waiting for the promised son to be born, Joseph waiting for a dream to be fulfilled, David, waiting to be King. Just three characters who waited years for God to bring about His plans for them. And I wonder, did Jesus wait patiently for 30 years until He could begin His ministry? Just a thought.

I have been waiting for the fulfilment of a promise that God gave me many years ago. I know deep-down I can trust that God will bring it about in His way and time but sometimes I doubt, sometimes I get impatient. I question God, I moan at Him,
‘I can’t take this anymore God,’ I cry.

When I get desperate, He faithfully encourages me with a hint of what is to come, it’s as if He allows me to peek through a chink in a curtain, to gain a small glimpse, just enough to give me Hope, and Grace to carry on for another day.

The Scripture from Isaiah quoted above declares God’s faithfulness to His word. There are many promises of God in the Bible, and He is always faithful to what He says He will do.
But verse ten is proceeded by verse nine that says,

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9 NIV)

Even when we think we know best and how our life should pan out, I am so thankful that Our Father doesn’t give in to us. His ways and thoughts are always higher, and always good and far greater than we could ever hope for. We just don’t see the bigger picture.

Don’t give up if you are holding out for a promise from God. The characters in the Bible waited years for their promises but when they were fulfilled, their lives were changed, and subsequently, nations were blessed through them. God brought about more than they could ever have asked or imagined.

Hold on, wait patiently, allow the Maker of the Universe to bring about His plans, His way, and in His time. When you see what you have been waiting for being accomplished in front of your eyes, I believe that all the pain, struggle, turmoil and unbelief will be swallowed up in an instance as you marvel at what He has done for you.


‘Father, forgive us for our unbelief, forgive us when we strive to bring about our plans thinking you are too slow, or have forgotten us. Give us more of Your grace that is sufficient, keep us worshipping in the waiting, and help us to hold on, when all seems lost, when we feel abandoned. Help us to remember that You always accomplish what You seek to accomplish, and it is always good. Amen’
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This article has been read 306 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Philippa Geaney
09/10/21
Thank you for this encouraging piece. I thought it was well written and thoughts flowed well.
Sue Botte 
09/12/21
This entry is a good ice breaker for a Bible study group. Much healing will flow from a sincere discussion about God's promises in a safe and secure environment. Keep writing.
Laura Manley
09/13/21
You mention in this well-written entry about how we wait and wait for some promises to be fulfilled. The wonderful thing is that God does things in His timing and we need to be patient in waiting for Him. I enjoyed this very much. I think this would be a good article for a Bible study. Blessings!
Bea Edwards 
09/14/21
I really enjoyed reading your encouraging entry.

It accomplished a much needed hug from God.

Thank you.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/14/21
This is a thoughtful piece. The beginning drew me in right away. I'm not a big fan of switching from first person (both singular and plural and back again) to third to second. I enjoyed the first person singular voice the most, but when you switched to asking the reader (me) questions, it made me uncomfortable, almost like I was eavesdropping on another conversation; at times I felt excluded entirely when the you scenario did not match up with me. For me, it would have been more powerful if you had stayed in first person and perhaps shared when you waited for God to fulfill a promise. You did a nice job of writing on topic. I liked the Scriptures you selected to pair with the message and the prayer was powerful, heartfelt, and my favorite part.
Amy Swift
09/15/21
Awesome writing and insight. God bless you for this... I needed it.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/17/21
Congratulations on ranking 1st in your level and 17 overall. The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.
Art Fahy 
09/20/21
This piece has lifted my hope on a promise God has made to me. I have doubted, questioned and moaned over my waiting. I realize that God is not going to provide me with His blessing until I am ready.

I have often missed the big picture.
God’s timing is perfect.

Isaiah 55:11 is a great reminder of God’s promise.

Your essay held my interest from start to finish.

Congrats on placing first in this challenge.