She Will Not Waver

Has God promised something through his Word, through your prayer conversations with him, through multiple confirmations, but it hasn’t happened yet?

I remember waking up one fall morning ten years ago at 5:45 a.m. with an overwhelming desire to have a baby. It was like nothing I’d felt before. We had been trying for over a year to get pregnant, but it wasn’t until that moment that I really “got it.” I saw a picture of a little girl in a crib, in the front bedroom of our house, and the Lord whispered, “this time next year” (Genesis 17:21).

I was overcome with excitement for days, but I have to admit I didn’t fully believe that promise until it came to pass. I had times of doubt as I kept seeing negative pregnancy tests for several more months. It wasn’t until I actually held her in my arms a little over a year later that I believed.

My story is just one example of the way God sometimes speaks specifically and intimately to us through his Word, through prayer, and in his still, small, tangible voice. It’s all part of that ongoing, personal communication we have with him. I could share many more examples. I’m sure you could, too.  (And I hope you will in the comments section below!)

Throughout the Bible, we read many great and precious promises that are for all time, for every believer. We can take a stand on them and know, without a shred of doubt, that God will not waver or change.

But God’s promises don’t always come about right away. Some take years or even decades. Others gradually unfold over many years. The length of time it takes to “see” God’s promises fulfilled does not negate the fact that God is the ultimate Keeper of Promises.

So what do we do in the meantime, in the waiting time?

Abraham believed. Romans 4:18-20 tells us, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (NIV).

The Bible tell us that Abraham was 75 years old when he received the promise that he would become a great nation (see Genesis 12:4). That means he waited about 25 years for God’s promise to be fulfilled!

Sometimes I feel like a big dumb fool as I wait to see God’s plans unfold. I think, gosh, maybe I didn’t hear from the Lord. Maybe I misinterpreted his message. Maybe it was my own wishful thinking. (And sometimes that’s true.)

But wouldn’t you rather look like a big, dumb fool with a living, breathing faith than sit in the muck and mire of life, not knowing God at all?

I’d rather hope big, dream big, and trust big in this life. Living small, in a box marked “hopeless,” holds no attraction for me.

What has God put on your heart, shown you time and again, whispered in the night, and woken you with in the morning? Take heart. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop waiting. Against all hope, believe. Be strengthened in your faith, give glory to God, be fully persuaded that God has power to do what he has promised.

“But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7 (ESV)

I invite you to write at least one Promise of God today and post it somewhere in your house. Pray that promise, take hold it, believe it.

We might feel foolish at times when we rise up and believe on God to do something impossible, something that by the naked eye cannot happen, has not happened, and is not in the act of happening. We might even seem crazy as we stand on his promises, with our faces set as “flint,” in the midst of war.

“But God!” He who promised is faithful. He has not given up on you; don’t give up on him.

What is your favorite Promise of God? Please share it in the comments section below. You never know who it might encourage!

7 Comments

  1. Wow Rachel this is exactly what the Lord has been speaking to me. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking cause I’m on my way. My oldest son (17) shared with me a week ago about a pastors message he had heard about prayer. The visual went like this, when we pray and ask God for something and it’s according to His will, God begins His journey to walk towards us but after awhile if we stop asking, God stops walking. He wants us to keep asking and keep seeking and not give up, He’s on His way! It may not be answered in a day, a week, or even a year but don’t stop asking. He LOVES to bless His children especially when we continue to seek after Him and His will for our lives.
    Just recently the Lord provided for us in a way that I never had thought. We had lots of expenses all at once and he provided a portion to offset the cost in a way that I could’ve never thought would happen. God is so so good.
    Don’t give up! Don’t stop praying cause God is listening!

    1. Wow, I love that picture. That’s a great reminder. Thank you for sharing. And I love the testimony of how God provided for you and your family. He never lets us down!

  2. A promise that I hold tightly to is the one from Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
    Mainly because i fail daily with my children in the homework department. But- i know that the teachings about Jesus amd our talks about Jesus are not going to be forgotten by them. I get discouraged in my motherhood journey.. But then im quickly reminded of this truth that they WILL not depart. I love this blog!! Thanks for sharing

    1. I’m standing on that promise as well!!! I was just sharing it with a friend yesterday. Thank you for the confirmation and for sharing your heart. I know it will encourage other moms who feel the same way. Love you!

  3. Wow Rachel, I had pretty much found myself like Zacharias and Elizabeth, although much more like he than she LOL. Just sort of staggering in circles in the desert, because it is too painful to believe any longer, and yet still somewhere, very deeply, there must be a spark of hope, because the Lord has been speaking this message repeatedly to me through various scriptures and devotionals coming my way the past 3 days or so. And it has only gotten increasingly more frequent. And what He is asking me to do is to rise up from the ash heap and start to believe again…

    One of my go-to verses right now is Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

    1. I’m praying for you! That’s the perfect verse. I’m so touched that this ministered to you, dear sister.

  4. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” ~ Mark 11:24 ~ NLT

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