In an age where waiting has become an inconvenience, waiting for God’s work during times of persecution can be challenging and difficult. Our limited human understanding and experience of time differs greatly from the perspective of an infinite God, who exists outside of time.
Waiting for an eternal God to act often requires us to trust His understanding and to have faith that He uses even time and space to serve His perfect plans and purposes. The Apostle Peter encourages persecuted Christians:
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)
One of the most relevant Old Testament illustrations of waiting is the life of David. David was probably about 15 years old when the prophet Samuel anointed him as Israel’s king. But he had to wait about 14 years to take the throne.
While he waited, David was constantly pursued and hunted by King Saul. But despite the danger and uncertainty of his situation, David trusted God’s timing and waited for Him to bring about the right moment to rule the nation. Later in his life, David’s own son, Absalom, sought to overthrow and kill him. Despite heartbreak and betrayal from his own family, David waited for God’s timing and trusted Him to restore justice and righteousness in the kingdom.
David’s experiences demonstrate that waiting on God’s timing during times of persecution requires faith, patience, and trust in His plans and purposes. This can be very challenging – especially when it seems He is not working out His plans and purposes as quickly as we would like. We must remember His ways are higher than our ways. While we wait, we must entrust ourselves to His care. The Apostle Peter refers to three of David’s Psalms:
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good . . . . Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 4:19; 5:6 – 7.)
When bearing up under persecution seems impossible, let us take God’s timing as an opportunity to strengthen our faith, trust His care for us, and deepen our relationship with Him.
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