Waiting for the Lord

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III discusses the subject of waiting on God, explaining that the apparent delay in God’s response is not evidence of His absence or lack of care, but rather an expression of His perfect wisdom and careful providence. He emphasizes that a person should not impose a specific method or time on God, but should entrust everything into His hands with faith and confidence.

Spiritual Message

The Pope emphasizes that God is constantly at work even when human beings cannot perceive His work through their senses. He refers to many biblical examples, including God’s promise of salvation to Adam and Eve, His promise to Abraham, the story of Joseph the Righteous, Hannah the mother of Samuel, and Elijah the Prophet, to demonstrate that God prepared the proper circumstances before fulfilling His promises. God’s response comes at the right time and in the best way, not necessarily according to human expectations.

Educational Lesson

The teaching explains that divine delay may serve to strengthen the spiritual life, deepen prayer, increase faith, and reinforce hope. It also teaches that anxiety, complaining, and despair do not solve problems, while trusting in God grants inner peace and spiritual stability. God does not seek the fastest solutions but the best solutions that accomplish the person’s true good.

Practical Application

The Pope encourages every believer to cast all worries upon God and wait for His work with peace, joy, and confidence rather than fear or anxiety. He also urges believers to persevere in prayer, remain patient, and avoid seeking solutions apart from God when answers seem delayed. He concludes that the true believer lives in peace because he knows that God is always working with love and wisdom, even when the results of that work cannot yet be seen.

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