January 16
Waiting
on God’s Timing
“Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 (NIrV)
Neil sat alone in his car, staring at the empty storefront. Three years ago, he had poured his savings and heart into his small business. At first, it thrived, but as the economy shifted, customers dwindled, and bills piled up. Now, with his doors shuttered for good, Neil felt like a failure.
“What now, God?” he whispered. He had prayed endlessly for his business to succeed. He had worked hard, sacrificed weekends with his family, and done everything he could to keep it afloat. But none of it seemed to matter.
At 47 years old, Neil wondered if his best years were behind him. Should he try to rebuild his career? Was God even listening?
That evening, Neil’s wife suggested they pray together. Kneeling by their bed, she read Psalm 27:14 aloud: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord.”
Neil felt a flicker of resistance. Waiting felt passive, like giving up. But as his wife prayed for strength and guidance, he felt a small seed of peace. “God,” Neil prayed silently, “I don’t understand why this happened, but I will trust You. Show me what’s next.”
The following weeks were still difficult. Neil applied for jobs and faced rejection after rejection. But as he spent time in prayer and reading Scripture, he began to sense God shaping his heart. One morning, while helping a neighbor repair a broken fence, Neil realized he enjoyed the work. Soon, he was offering his handyman skills around the neighborhood. Word spread, and within months, Neil’s new business was thriving.
Looking back, Neil saw that losing his first business wasn’t the end. It was a redirection. God hadn’t abandoned him; He had been preparing Neil for something better.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness in fulfilling Your promises to Your people. Help us to trust in Your timing and to persevere in faithfulness, even when obstacles seem insurmountable.
Teach us to be good stewards of the blessings You have given us, and help us to work together in unity to advance Your kingdom on earth.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
