The Art of Delayed Gratification (Part 2

by Kelly McDonald, Jr.

How do we “hang in there” while we wait to reach the finish line? The Bible gives us some clues to help us understand the truth of the matter. One part of the Fruit of the Spirit is patience. It is better translated as endurance or perseverance. We are not simply “waiting” for His promise to come to pass. In the English language, waiting is an idle attitude that passes time in anticipation. Perseverance is continuing to obey God and seek Him until the promise actualizes.

“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew

6:33). When are waiting to receive a promise from God, we should always continue to seek God’s will and not our own. We should not try to twist the situation to fit our perception of God’s will.

Abram and Sarai thought that having the baby through Hagar might fulfill the promise. Had they sought the Kingdom first, they would have realized that their actions were not true to the original promise (Sarai was told SHE would have the baby). The promise still came to pass for Abram and Sarai. For others in the Bible, such as Saul, it did not.

We must trust God. Sometimes, we must wait a few moments; sometimes, we must wait years. In Galatians 6:9, Paul wrote: “Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we do not give up.” The Greek word translated as “weary” means to be spiritless, exhausted, or have a bad attitude. It is easy for any of us to become exhausted in waiting for a promise to come to pass. One key to keep us from losing heart in the waiting season is to remember WHO made the promise. GOD ALMIGHTY made the promise! This means that He WILL bring it to pass! He has never failed, and His faithfulness is never in question.

A major key to guarding yourself from getting weary is to recall His previous and current goodness in your life. God has done so much for all of us. When the children of Israel were in the desert, they often complained. They forgot God’s past faithfulness—He sent 10 plagues to devastate Egypt (Israel was protected from seven of them), parted the Red Sea, and delivered them from Pharaoh’s army.

A second key to avoiding weariness in the waiting season is to stay about our Father’s business. In Luke 19, Jesus gave the Parable of the Minas. It was about working until the Lord returns. In it, the master told the servants, “Conduct business until I come” (Luke 19:13). Jesus has commissioned each of us with something to do for His Kingdom. What gifts and talents has God given you? Are you using them? If we will spend time in service to God, it will help us as we anticipate the promise. God will help you learn the art of delayed gratification.

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