What must we not lose sight of while waiting patiently for God's promises?
While waiting patiently, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is going to happen. Christ is going to return, and that certainty remains even though God's timing may be tomorrow, ten years, or a hundred years from now.
Les explains that faith and hope are so intricately intertwined that if a person already sees something, there is no need to hope for it. He illustrates that anticipation is often more exciting than realization. In Romans 8:25, the believer who hopes by faith for what is not seen waits for it with patience. Les says that with God time does not mean much; He is not concerned whether He brings everything to fruition tomorrow, ten years from now, or a hundred years from now. We cannot push God to do it faster, so we wait patiently. But in that patience we must never lose sight of the fact that it is going to happen—Christ is going to return, and it feels closer every day. The Holy Spirit also helps our weaknesses as we deal with the invisible realm of the Spirit; we are to let God do it.
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
What should we keep in mind while we wait patiently for God's promises?
While waiting, hope concerns what is not yet seen; if something is seen, there is no need to hope. God's timing differs from ours—He may bring His promise to fruition tomorrow, in ten years, or a hundred years—but it is certain. Never lose sight that it will happen; Christ will return.
What should we do while we wait for what we hope for but cannot see?
We are to wait patiently, by faith, for the unseen hope, never losing sight that it will certainly come to pass. God's timing is not constrained by ours, and He cannot be pushed to act faster; meanwhile the indwelling Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses as we deal with the invisible realm of the Spirit.