The Rewards of Waiting

Thursday of the 5^th Week in Lent

Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59

One morning at work, my computer gave me trouble. I called the help desk, described the problem, and the woman said, “OK, hold on. I’ll be right there.” I hung up and waited. That was 25 years ago. I’m retired now, but if I ever see that woman, I’m going to tell her that she and I have very different definitions of the words, “be right there.”

I think Abram might sympathize. Scripture says he was 75 years old when God called him to be a great nation, 99 when God changed his name to Abraham, and well over 100 when Isaac was born. For thirty years, he waited. As we read the Scripture, we see that Abraham did two important things while waiting, and they’re a good lesson for us, especially those of us who have been waiting for God to answer a particular prayer.

First, he wasn’t afraid to speak to God openly, much like a friend. In fact, the prophet Isaiah and the disciple James both call Abraham exactly that: God’s friend (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). He wasn’t disrespectful, but spoke honestly and from the heart, asking God when he would get a son or how he would come to possess the promised land. Far from scolding Abraham for that, God answered him. So, what about us? Do we love and approach God as our Maker and our friend, and ask Him, in all humility, for the gift of understanding that only He can give?

Second, despite any lack of understanding he had, Abraham trusted God. We see that in his unwavering obedience. Where and when he was told to go, he went; what he was told to do, he did. No matter what, Abraham took God at His word, trusting that all would be as He promised. This is the faith that so impressed St. Paul (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6), who knew, like we do, how hard it can be to remain faithful when we feel like an answer is never coming, or God doesn’t care, or isn’t listening. It may well be that those most difficult times are when our trust and obedience mean the most to Him!

And, as the gospel shows, God is never outdone in generosity. Abraham’s trust was rewarded by a lot more than the birth of Isaac or even a multitude of nations. No one knows the details, for Jesus doesn’t provide them, but when he told the Jews that their father Abraham rejoiced to see my day (John 8:56), he seems to have been referring to some mystical revelation of himself to Abraham. How glorious that must have been! Of course, the Jews couldn’t understand that, but it is perfectly in keeping with what our faith demands. After all, the same Jesus is hidden in our Tabernacle right now, ready to be revealed to us – an encounter he’s been waiting for, for 20 centuries.

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