“…but tarry…” Luke 24:49
Tarry. Tarry is not a word I use in my day-to-day conversation. Tarry: “to delay or be tardy in acting or doing; to linger in expectation; wait; to abide or stay in or at a place,” according to Merriam-Webster. Tarry. Not sure I even like the word really. I’m a get-it-done-yesterday kind of girl! I hate waiting! The longer I have to wait, the more likely I am to either take matter into my own hands or to just give up and move on. I don’t wait well.
Unfortunately, waiting seems to be very much a part of our walking with the Lord. Biblically, in regards to waiting, I’m in good company. Abraham waited 25 years to receive his promised son. Joseph waited 13 years for his dream from the Lord to be fulfilled. Moses waited 40 years, TWICE! Forty years before being called to lead God’s people, and another 40 years in the wilderness waiting to enter into the promised land. And then he ended up not being able to because of disobedience!!! David waited over 20 years to become king. Even Jesus waited 30 or so years before beginning His earthly ministry. Yep. Waiting. Tarry. I feel like a child and want to cry out, “BUT WHY????”
As with all things, God has His reasons, and I would do well to trust Him…as I wait. Sometimes we wait because God has something He needs to develop in us. Sometimes we wait because of someone else’s choices. Sometimes we wait because all the pieces haven’t come together yet. Sometimes we wait because we are waiting for the wrong thing and our will has to be adjusted to His. Regardless of the “why,” two things are for certain. If God has me waiting, I can be confident that He is working all things together for my good and I can know that eventually, when the timing is right, His plans and purposes for my life will be accomplished.
So, what do I do in the meantime? I think a good place to start is found in this passage. As Jesus was about to return to His home in Heaven, He instructed the disciples to “tarry” in the city and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Can you imagine waiting for THAT?! But look at what they did as they tarried for the promise.
“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:52-53 NKJV
As the disciples waited on the Lord, they worshiped, had great joy and were continually praising and blessing God. Worshiping and praising BEFORE the promise is fulfilled???! Selah…maybe we all need to pause and think on that one for a while!!!