Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

Keep Hope Alive by Roy Tullgren III

Patiently Wait Upon the Lord

I don’t know many people who would disagree that God always knows what is best for them or that His timing is always perfect.

However, when it comes down to it, when we want something…we want it NOW. That’s our nature. That’s also “the American way”… impulse buying… if you can’t afford it, then charge it on the plastic card… get it NOW and don’t wait… the opportunity may pass you by. Yes, I’ve been guilty of this.

We rush into a new job and praise God for bringing it to us…even though we didn’t even pray about it. Then 6 months later we are grumbling about the job and we quit and we blame God for bringing us the wrong job. We rush into buying a car, only to have it break down or the payments strap us financially. Then we cry out to God to help us with this “lemon”.

We have the most difficult time waiting. We want God to answer our prayers… NOW… and preferably that He’d be in agreement with the answers we desire. We must learn to wait patiently for the Lord’s answer.

The Apostle Paul learned to wait on the Lord to give him direction as to what city to go to next in his missionary travels. Joseph waited 13 years for God to bring the vision to pass that Joseph had received as a teenager. Nehemiah waited and prayed and waited on God some more before he went to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.

Both Paul and Joseph spent time in prison waiting on the Lord. To us, that doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t they be out of prison serving the Lord? Shouldn’t God be “blessing” their lives – not imprisoning them? In actuality, He was blessing them. He was preparing them for their future. He was using them to minister right in the prisons! He was building their faith during these times. They recognized that they were in His will…so they waited.

I am so thankful that the Rescue Mission has been patient… waiting upon the Lord to provide for the expansion of our women and children’s facilities. Even though the need was evident for several years, we waited and prayed and waited and prayed and then began to move in faith. He has directed our path to new facilities, as we have walked in faith. We know as He guides He will provide and bless. In the meantime, we are becoming prepared for our future. Each step of the way… all the way to completion… He will get the credit, as His answers and direction will be evident. How exciting this journey is… as we patiently wait upon the Lord!

Roy E. Tullgren III serves as Director for Gospel Rescue Mission. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference by calling 740-1501.