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Popularized by Edward Hickson, the phrase, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again", has come to mean displaying determination against all odds. It is an admirable phrase, one that I've used both for myself and to encourage others in my short life. However, I would like to change this antique phrase just a bit to "if at first you don't succeed, wait on God". Why the subtle change? Well, because I've always associated that powerful saying with individual effort or some type of extraordinary self-motivation. You know, a special will-power that you invoke within yourself when all else has failed. This is all good and fine, but as a child of God I believe at that point and time, it is time to involve God's grace. When we get to a point in life or a particular situation where we've given it all we have then as children of the Most High God, Jehovah-Jireh [God Provides], El Shaddai [God Almighty], we should turn it over to Him. A while ago, I did a bible study on the use of the word "wait" in scripture [Old Testament] and I think it is most appropriate to share in this devotional. During that time in my life, I was really struggling with being patient while God was orchestrating his will and plan in my life. So I spent a lot of time being anxious and frustrated because I was trying to impose my will into God's plan! But I started this study and then revisited again later to reinforce what God was saying to me. It was interesting to find out how He expected me to wait on his answers and his awesome plan unfolding in my life. Recently, I was saddened by some news this past week about a couple I know that lost their only child from a sudden illness. My heart goes out to them in their time of grief and while thinking of the grief I would feel at a time like that, I began to think of this subject matter. I pray this is a blessing to you.

In my study of the word wait, I found at least five different uses of the word in Old Testament scripture. However, for the purpose of this writing I'll only discuss two of them--yachal and qavah. (I apologize for the Hebrew, but this is probably the best way to distinguish the two meanings of the word instead of using the English word repeatedly.)

yachal (Strong's 3176)- to hope or tarry

During a severe famine in Israel recorded in 2 Kings 6:33 the Samarian king stated, “Surely God’s hand has brought this trouble, why should I wait any longer for the Lord?” This implied a hope of deliverance that was expected and never came. So in this case, yachal is used to express an expectation of deliverance from a severe situation or trial. But notice the king’s lack of joy during the process. This is probably most signified by him saying “…why should I wait…”. How you wait for something makes all the difference. You would experience total frustration and anxiety if you had to watch a particular predicament unfold to which you were powerless to change. Let’s say your company is downsizing and you know that the next person they call into the office to have "the talk" will be you. You are powerless. The situation is inevitable that some employees will be kept and some will be let go. On one hand, you can sit in dread about the situation like the Samarian king. But as we can see in scripture, his frustration with the circumstance dictated his attitude while waiting on God's response. We can probably even go as far as to say that although he may have expected deliverance eventually, he had obviously made up in his mind that he would not be happy during the process. I know that at times I have been guilty of this. And what God had to teach me is that he is sovereign. My will is subjective to his will. My thoughts and plans are inferior to his. He's God and I'm not. It was a hard lesson to learn, but when I applied this truth to my life, I was able to be free from the anxiety and frustration I would feel in situations that I was powerless to change. Going back to the company downsizing, you the individual can not change the inevitably of that. Why be frustrated as you wait to be told to leave or to stay? You, as child of God, can rest in the fact that He will care and provide for you in all situations. This attitude acknowledges that God is in total control--not you and not your company.

qavah (Strong's 6960) - to look for eagerly
In Isaiah 40:31, it says “They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength…”. This, to me, suggests a totally different connotation of waiting than yachal. Qavah is not just waiting, but waiting with eagerness. It is waiting absent of frustration, anxiety and impatience. It is like waiting for a check to come in the mail, or the delivery of pleasant news though expected but not guaranteed. All these instances speak of a time between the initial expectation and the receipt of the anticipated event that the person experiences joy. Joy from what? Joy from the wait. It is almost as if you experience renewed energy from the anticipation of what will be delivered to you. It is an empowering position, not one of defeat like yachal. God wants us to have joy while we wait on him. It is a joy that is that is experienced from the decision to wait eagerly, rather to wait with frustration. Key to this joy, is the personal resolve you impose on your current situation to trust in God’s unfailing power. This is not a resolve easily had though. Many a time, the desperation of your situation will cause you to fret over its finality (as is probably the case with my friends that lost their child). The pain and anguish of that type of situation probably causes a severe numbness within you. But, like King David after the death of his child (see 2 Samuel 12:15-23) we must trust in God’s sovereignty. Then we can experience joy like he did in the aftermath of his circumstance. Joy in trusting that God won't fail us. Joy in believing that He has our best interest in mind. Joy from the peace that is given to you and me, when we finally trust His will for our life. We understand that He has the power to deliver us, if we don’t give up on waiting on Him.

Lord please give me the patience to watch your plan develop. And while that happens help me to joyfully wait in expectation of your will being worked in my life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggested readings: Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 27

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Washed by the Water of the Word