Circling the Walls

A Christian friend of mine longs with all her heart for her grown children to know Jesus as their Savior and to follow Him. Every day, all day long, my friend's children are on her mind and in her prayers. But right now those children are resistant to the Gospel message. As a result, they make bad choices that lead to a lot of suffering in their lives. My friend's desire for her children's salvation is so great that I was surprised at her response when I asked how she wanted me to pray about the situation: "Please pray that God will give me grace to watch my daughter suffer so He can rescue her. Pray that I won't interfere with His plan."

What a surprising prayer request! Watch her daughter suffer without hurrying to help? Keep quiet rather than rush in with words from God? If a mother can respond this way to her child, what does that say about our response to any lost person? Are there times we should wait, watch, hold back, and keep quiet? Aren't we supposed to rush in, to seek and save the lost, to go after missing sheep, to ask salvation questions?

As it turns out, my friend's response to her children follows an important biblical principle, one that might help us all with our Kingdom work: Operate according to God's plan and timing. God isn't afraid to wait while His plan unfolds. For example, consider that Jesus did not chase after Nicodemus; instead, Jesus waited for Nicodemus to come to Him in the middle of the night (John 3:1-21). Or, take a look at God's plan to capture the mighty, walled city of Jericho.

If human leaders had been responsible for the Jericho battle plan they probably would have shouted, "Grab your spears now and head for the city. Attack!" But that was not God's plan. Before the Israelites could capture Jericho they had to wait on spy reports, rescue folks in the city who were willing to follow the true God, wait for God to divide the Jordan River so they could cross it, build a memorial, then circumcise all the men of military age and wait while they healed! Even after they finally reached Jericho the people had to wait six more days-with their mouths closed. For six days they were under orders to simply circle the city without speaking a word. Not a peep. Not one shout allowed. Not one opinion welcome. Not a single war cry tolerated. The only sounds permitted were the priests' trumpets and the people's footsteps. (Joshua ch. 1-6)

How hard it must have been to hold their tongues and wait. How tempting it must have been to shout, rush in and save the day. But victory would come only by following God's plan and timing. Victory would come only through obedience, silence and a lot of waiting.

My friend hasn't abandoned her daughter; she is simply circling the walls, walking in silence, holding her tongue. It cannot be easy. It must be tempting to let loose a war cry and rush in to save the day. But my friend understands that victory will come only by following God's plan and timing. So she is wisely willing to wait for Jesus to tear down the walls, ready to move in after that happens, to act on the Lord's behalf and capture her daughter's heart.

Are you dealing with a lost person who is surrounded by mighty walls of resistance? What do you think about circling in silence as you wait on the Lord's plan and timing?

2010 © Jeanne M Burger