But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31, NKJV.
One of the interesting experiences in my walks with God is learning the lessons He has been teaching me with the stop lights. I have entitled these messages: Press and Wait, and, Press and Go. Today we will talk about pressing and waiting.
Some of the stoplights are pedestrian friendly – as soon as you press them, they turn to “Walk;” while others, you have to wait while the lights go to yellow, then red, and finally green. When I am going out and am full of energy, waiting for the stoplight to go from yellow to red to green is not pleasant. When I am returning, and am tired, waiting is not a problem.
Because of this, several times I ventured to step into the street even though the red hand signalling Wait was already raised and sometimes even flashing. At least twice I have had close encounters with cars (this is the first time my family is hearing about this – uh oh!).
When the light was still green but the red hand was raised indicating, “Don’t Walk,” I would rationalize: since the cars going in my direction are still whizzing by, I have an opportunity to cross. How wrong we can be! Once while crossing the street believing that I had sufficient time to get to the other side of the street, a car came from the left, and had to swerve away from me so as not to hit me. It was after this second incident that I became aware that God was trying to get my attention. By then I was a bit shaken up and embarrassed. So I stood at the corner and said, I am sorry Lord; what are You trying to say to me?
I did not have to be a rocket scientist to hear what was already very obvious: When crossing the street, observe the traffic signals and obey them! I really did not need for the Lord to tell me that; my common sense and responsibility as a Christian should have been enough. But God had more to say.
I tried to memorize which traffic lights were the “friendly ones.” I could not. One day a light would act friendly, and another day it would not. It finally dawned on me that the Lord was trying to tell me, or show me, something. So I started looking for a pattern and sure enough, I found one. At those times when I was most exhausted, almost dragging, even the lights that I thought would immediately turn to “Walk” either remained with the red hand lifted, or went to yellow and then to red. God had seen my exhaustion and was allowing me to rest before continuing my journey.
When the light would finally turn green, I had had sufficient time to rest, think clearly, and then continue my walk with renewed strength! As I waited for the light to change I would think of how often my Merciful Savior has led me “beside still waters” in order to “[restore] my soul.” Many times and under various circumstances, in love, He has had to make me wait on Him. I have been in such a hurry that had He not slowed me down I would have missed many blessings that are only available during the waiting period.
Sometimes we press our petitions before the Throne of Grace and instead of receiving a message to “Walk,”God raises His hands and asks us to “Wait.” At these times let us remember that after the time of waiting we will be stronger, and wiser, and enabled to soar to heights we never thought of reaching before!
This devotional has been edited.