Just yesterday, I caught myself in front of the microwave waiting very impatiently while my slice of pizza was reheating.  These words came out of my mouth: “Seriously, how long does it take to get this warmed up.”  Then I laughed at myself because it’s going to take the amount of time I set on the appliance I’m standing in front of…30 SECONDS! 

Yes, we do not like to wait on anything.  We stew and grumble in our impatience.  It is a behavior that begins as infants.  When infants wake up, they cry for food.  When parents don’t have it ready in anticipation of the waking baby, the cries get louder.  Infants train parents to have the infant’s needs in ready for when they want it.  And NOW is when they want it.  As they grow into toddlers, short words accompany the cry along with a little whine.  Toddlers learn the fine art of whining in all circumstances.  “How loooooong is this going to be?” is heard repetitively as you finish a task for their benefit and is just one example of thousands. 

As growing children, we get more sophisticated in our impatience with large doses of sarcasm that develops into an art form.  Going on a trip out of town, or just across town, the ongoing, incessant question is, “Are we there yet?”  Added to the repertoire with rolling eyes you can almost hear, “How long does it take to get there?”  “Can’t you drive any faster?”

Yes, we humans are not patient.  It’s a good thing our Father God in heaven is…

Isaiah 64, The Message

Can We Be Saved?

^1-7 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend,
    make the mountains shudder at your presence—
As when a forest catches fire,
    as when fire makes a pot to boil—
To shock your enemies into facing you,
    make the nations shake in their boots!
You did terrible things we never expected,
    descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence.
Since before time began
    no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
    who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
    who keep a good memory of the way you work.
But how angry you’ve been with us!
    We’ve sinned and kept at it so long!
    Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?
We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.
    Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.
We dry up like autumn leaves—
    sin-dried, we’re blown off by the wind.
No one prays to you
    or makes the effort to reach out to you
Because you’ve turned away from us,
    left us to stew in our sins.

^8-12 Still, God, you are our Father.
    We’re the clay and you’re our potter:
    All of us are what you made us.
Don’t be too angry with us, O God.
    Don’t keep a permanent account of wrongdoing.
    Keep in mind, please, we are your people—all of us.
Your holy cities are all ghost towns:
    Zion’s a ghost town,
    Jerusalem’s a field of weeds.
Our holy and beautiful Temple,
    which our ancestors filled with your praises,
Was burned down by fire,
    all our lovely parks and gardens in ruins.
In the face of all this,
    are you going to sit there unmoved, God?
Aren’t you going to say something?
    Haven’t you made us miserable long enough?

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Why is God not working wonders? In this instance, the people have sinned and must confess their sins and turn from them. If our righteous deeds are filthy, what must our sins look like in His sight! According to verse 4, God has planned wonderful things for His people, things beyond their imagination, but their sins prevent Him from sharing His blessings.  Turn to God, repent, and listen to His voice above all other voices in this world that draw us away from him—including our own voice!

Isaiah’s prayer (and that of the believing remnant) ends with a question: Why is God silent? His temple has been destroyed, His glorious land has been ravaged, and His people are in exile. God’s reply is found in the next two chapters.  See you tomorrow! Wait for it…

Lord,

We think we have it altogether until life falls apart.  We throw a tantrum of impatience while you lovingly and patiently lead and teach us through the troubles and hard times.  Lord, I pray for all of us to turn around and look full into your wonderful face of love, mercy, and grace.  Your compassion never fails.  Your love is unending.  Your mercy and grace are undeserved but yet you “so loved” us that you sent Jesus to save us.   Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I’m listening, letting go in the wait, as you prepare me for what is next.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen