Confident Hope

Waiting on God’s timing isn’t easy. When the Lord first called me into full-time ministry in the summer of 2010, I was ready to go right then and there, or so I thought. That year had been a tough one for me. God was beginning a new work within me and as part of that work, He called me out of the church I had been faithfully attending for nearly a decade.

At first, I ignored His gentle whisper. I didn’t understand why God would want me to leave my church family, whom I loved dearly. As His voice became louder, I knew I needed to listen. I decided to talk to my pastor about how God was leading me not only into full-time ministry but also to leave the church I had called home.  

I expected to get the green light and to be sent on my way with no questions asked. What I experienced that day was the exact opposite. I was wounded so deeply that it took a lot of healing for me to fully trust the body of Christ again.

Deep down, I knew that God wouldn’t ask me to leave my church without a plan. Even though I couldn’t see what He was doing, I needed to be obedient and trust Him.

Abraham knew God was faithful and believed that God would come through for him.  

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises (Romans 4:18-21 NLT). 

Finding a new church home wasn’t a quick process. After more than two months, I started to grow weary. I prayed and asked God for wisdom and to make it clear to me where He wanted me to be. That Sunday, I visited a church that was held in an old armory. This church was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I could hear the voice of the Lord so clearly.

As I started to leave that Sunday, the pastor stopped to greet me. He said, “Jessica, 2011 is going to be better than 2010 for you. God has you exactly where He wants you to be.” 

I could feel the tears well up and I knew that the Lord had brought me to this church. Over the next four years, God brought tremendous healing into my life and helped to equip me for the plans He has for me. 

If you are waiting on God, know that God is faithful to keep every promise He has made to you. God’s plans for your life are good because He is good. His love isn’t contingent on what you do for Him, and it doesn’t change. You can trust Him to come through for you, just as He did for Abraham and just as He did for me. 

Father God, even though I can’t see what You are doing in my life right now, I choose to trust in You and in Your timing. You are faithful and You are good. I choose to be confident in who I know You to be; I will wait on You with confident hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.  

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! (Psalm 57:7)

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.