James 1:12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
We have already discussed how waiting can be tedious but it is also true that waiting can be challenging and testing. The supreme test of goodness is not in the greater but in the smaller incidents of our character and practice. Not what we are when standing in the searchlight of public scrutiny, but when we reach the firelight flicker of our homes. Not what we are when some clarion-call rings through the air, summoning us to fight for life and liberty, but our attitude when we are called to wait.
It was John Riskin who said, “I believe the first test of a truly great person is humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of their own power, or hesitation in speaking their opinion. But really great people have a ... feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them.”
In a similar way, Andrew Murray said, “The humble person feels no jealousy or envy. They can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before them. They can bear to hear others praised while they are forgotten because ... they have received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honour. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ that person has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, long-suffering, and humility.” That sort of waiting is indeed challenging and testing.”
Dear Lord and Father, thank you for all those times that you strengthened me when I was under attack and sustained me when I was weary of waiting and ready to quit. Write "perseverance" deep within my soul and give me a spirit of tenacity so that I might serve you no matter what the outward circumstances of my life may be. In the mighty name of Jesus I wait and pray. Amen.
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