But as for me, I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

My times are in Your hand. (Psalm 31:14-15, NKJV)

Waiting is an offering and a sacrifice. We may lift up our very waiting to God, in a spirit of expectancy, asking only for His agenda. As Elisabeth Elliot observed, "Waiting on God in this way is true faith - no agenda of one's own, no deadlines, no demands on what God must do. Simply as open heart and open hands ready to receive that which God shall choose, and a perfect confidence that what He chooses will be better than our best"²

And joy of joys - as we wait, bowing to God's plan and purposes for our life, He promises to meet us in the agony of waiting. What does He promise?

• To hear you. "I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry....He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God" (Psalm 40:1,3)

• To work for you. "From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him" (Isaiah 64:4, NRSV)

• To renew your strength. "Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:31)

• To give you peace. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

We can imagine our loving heavenly Father saying to you: