Part of my duties at work is to cover the receptionist’s lunch break. The other day I was informed by the lead receptionist that one of the managers was awaiting an important telephone call. I was to put the caller on hold and contact her via the radio to make sure she received the call.
Have you ever spent time waiting for a call from a good friend? You may have avoided some other activity to be sure to receive the call. There is an excitement in the initial anticipation. As time passes, a bit of longing creeps in. Impatience and finally frustration may follow when a call is delayed.
We are often waiting for calls. Some are for needed information and others just to talk to someone we care about. Until the call comes, we wait.
Scripture tells us that the Lord is waiting for His people to call out to Him. “And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.” (Isaiah 30:18a AMP) God is waiting for us with excitement, anticipation and longing. It is His desire that we do not delay, yet His patience is inexhaustible. His heart is full of enduring love. Like the father of the prodigal son, (See Luke 15:11-32) He waits and watches planning the first words to express His love to His child.
Why do we keep God waiting for our call to come?
If we have sinned and fear approaching Him, we can be sure that the Father is patient and forgiving. “For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.” (Psalm 86:5 AMP) His mercy is abundant. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.” (Psalm 103:8 AMP)
If we feel that we do not want to waste the Lord’s time we need to remember that he has called us each a masterpiece. “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew]” (Ephesians 2:10a AMP) He also calls us His precious children. “See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.” (1 John 3:1 AMP)
If we are busy with other things we need to remember the words
Jesus spoke to Martha. "But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you
are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that
which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 AMP) Whatever we consider worth
our time more than Jesus is a mistaken and unnecessary distraction.
And if our hearts have
gone cold we must, like the church at Ephesus, return to our first love. “But I have this [one
charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you
had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen.
Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did
previously [when first you knew the Lord]” (Revelation 2:4-5a AMP) Contemplate the things God
has done in the past and hurry back to Him.
If you have never given your heart to God, do not
delay. “Seek,
inquire for, and require the Lord while He
may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He
is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his
thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity,
and mercy for him, and to our
God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7 AMP)
So what are we waiting for? Delay no
longer. Give God a call today! He is waiting for your call.
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