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This week we focus on the Lenten theme of waiting and trusting.

Words of Reflection

Scripture is full of stories about waiting. In some cases God’s people hold fast to their trust in God as they wait. In other stories we seem them grow impatient, sometimes even taking matters into their own hands. Through it all we see very human stories of a very common human struggle. Each of these servants of God faced a season of waiting in one way or another:

-Abraham and Sarah
-Moses
-Hannah
-David
-Job
-Simeon
-Anna

There are many others we could add to this list. In fact, just about every major character in the Bible seemed to face a test of patience and trust at some point. As we all do.

One of the more poignant and powerful stories of waiting comes from the Old Testament account of Joseph. Given a vision by God while still a young man, Joseph waits many decades to see that vision come true. More than that, he faces challenges and tests during those decades that no doubt caused him to wonder what had happened to God’s promises. For years he waits for them to come true: he waits as a slave, and then he waits in prison, falsely accused. We read Joseph's story, and we know the happy ending. But were there moments during that long wait when Joseph wondered if God had forgotten him?

Waiting forces us to trust, even when the circumstances of our lives seem contrary to the promises of God.

Today’s song is a little different. It doesn’t come from classic hymnody, nor does it come from contemporary Christian songwriters or worship leaders. It comes from, of all places, Hollywood. The 2000 animated film, “Joseph: King of Dreams” captures the Old Testament story in a vibrant and beautiful way. The scene where Joseph is in prison, seemingly far from God’s promises, yet choosing to declare his trust in the One who has shepherded him through all his life is a powerful declaration of faith in the midst of waiting.

Joseph’s story reminds us that the promises of God do not conform to our schedule or plan. While we wait, God is at work.

He knows better than we do.

Scripture for Meditation:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
—Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV)

Song: Better Than I

I thought I did what's right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here
So, I put up a fight
And told you how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear
You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For you know better than I
If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don't know
Is part of getting through
I try to do what's best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in you
For you know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I
I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky
I saw one bird and thought that I could follow
But it was you who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me, will you teach me?
For you know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
I'll take what answers you supply
You know better than I

Questions for Contemplation:

Have you experienced seasons in your life where your circumstances challenged your trust in God? How did he shepherd you through those times? What did you learn about his trustworthiness?

Jeremiah compares trusting God to a tree firmly rooted near a nourishing stream. What nourishes you during times of waiting? What feeds your soul when you find it difficult to trust?

Today’s song contains the lyric “Maybe knowing I don’t know is part of getting through.” What do you think the songwriter means by that? Spend some time in prayerful waiting before God, offering to him the things you don’t yet know.