A Prayer for Unwavering Faith in the Waiting

　　By Kristine Brown

　　Bible Reading:

　　“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” - Hebrews 10:23 NLT

　　Listen or Read Below:

　　A woman named Rahab in the Bible received a promise from God. Rahab lived in Jericho, and one day, two Israelite spies came to her home. Joshua had sent them from the place where the Israelites camped and instructed them to spy out the land. Rahab hid the spies on her rooftop so the king’s men would not find them. “But someone told the king of Jericho, ‘Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.’ So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.’” (Joshua 2:3-4)

　　Rahab had heard stories about what God had done for his people, and she trusted God could do the same for her. So she took a risk and helped the spies evade capture. The two men from the Israelite army then gave Rahab a guarantee. If she helped them, they would rescue her and her family when they came to conquer the land. She only needed to comply with two conditions. First, she must tie a red cord to the outside of her window so they could identify her home. Second, she must remain in the house, along with her entire family. (Joshua 2:18)

　　Rahab agreed. “‘I accept your terms,’ she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.” (Joshua 2:21) She directed them out through the window, trusting the soldiers to keep their word. But she had no idea when they would return. There was nothing Rahab could do but wait. I can’t help but think about Rahab’s actions when I read Hebrews 10:23, which says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

　　I like to say that I trust God. But when uncertainty arises, and I’m forced to wait on a solution, I wring my hands in worry instead of having peace that God can handle it. I claim to trust him with my family, my finances, and my future, but I don’t live like I do. In those tiring waiting seasons, I spend more time trying to figure out solutions than trusting God’s sovereignty. But Rahab’s story shows us a better way to wait. Rahab didn’t hold back; she boldly asked the men for a guarantee, and they accepted. Then, Rahab did exactly as the Israelite spies instructed. She tied the rope to the window and left it there. She kept her family inside the home, even when she saw the army approaching.

　　I wonder how Rahab felt as the Israelites marched silently around Jericho. Did she ever question her decision as she waited? Many of us will admit that we aren’t good at waiting. In our impatience, we may even step in and take control. We don’t know from Scripture what went through Rahab’s mind in her time of waiting, but we do know this: She didn’t waver. She demonstrated steadfast faith in the waiting, and God rescued her. Just as he said he would. If you are in a waiting season today, find encouragement from Rahab’s example. May we all hold on to unwavering faith in the waiting. God will strengthen us as we wait, and our faith will grow as we fully trust in him.

　　Let’s Pray:

　　Dear God,

　　I feel like I have been waiting for so long. I grow more weary as each day passes without an end in sight. Forgive me for getting impatient as I wait. Help me turn this time of waiting into trusting you more. Help me to have unwavering faith in this waiting season. Father, when I’m forced to wait for a resolution, I sometimes take matters into my own hands. I try to control the outcome, but I know your ways are better than mine. Help me remember that you are sovereign and that you are always working. Rahab didn’t know when the spies would return for her, but she trusted while she waited. I am encouraged to wait well when I see how you kept your promise to Rahab. You are faithful. Thank you for teaching me through your Word and through my waiting seasons to fully trust in you.

　　In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.