Article of Faith: Waiting for God (2), By Femi Aribisala

Patience in Prayer: Embracing the Journey of Waiting for God (Part 2) by Femi Aribisala


0

When Divine Patience Meets Human Waiting

Often, the sensation that we are patiently awaiting God’s intervention is, in reality, God Himself patiently awaiting our response. This profound dynamic is vividly illustrated in the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion. Echoing the lament of King David, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This poignant expression reveals a divine solidarity with human suffering, portraying God not as distant, but as a companion in our trials.

God’s Empathy in Human Struggle

Through Christ’s anguish on Calvary, the divine experience of abandonment becomes a shared human reality. This connection transforms the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing that God’s waiting is not passive but deeply empathetic. It invites believers to recognize that moments of spiritual silence or delay may be opportunities for mutual encounter rather than mere absence.

Reframing the Concept of Waiting in Faith

In contemporary spiritual discourse, waiting is often perceived as a test of patience or faith. However, this perspective can be expanded by understanding waiting as a two-way interaction. Just as a gardener waits for seeds to sprout, nurturing the soil and tending the plants, God’s waiting involves active engagement with human hearts, preparing them for growth and transformation.

Understanding Biblical Israel Beyond Modern Borders

It is crucial to distinguish between the Biblical concept of Israel and the geopolitical entity known today as the state of Israel. The Biblical Israel represents a spiritual and covenantal identity rooted in faith and divine promise, rather than a mere territorial or political designation. This distinction helps clarify many theological discussions and prevents conflating ancient scriptural narratives with contemporary political realities.

Faith Identity Versus National Identity

The Biblical Israel symbolizes a community bound by faith and divine covenant, transcending geographic boundaries. For example, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul redefines Israel as those who embody the promises of God through faith, regardless of ethnic origin. This spiritual Israel includes all who embrace the covenant, highlighting inclusivity rather than exclusivity.

Modern Implications and Reflections

In today’s global context, understanding Israel as a faith-based identity encourages interfaith dialogue and fosters a more nuanced appreciation of religious texts. It also challenges simplistic interpretations that equate scriptural Israel solely with modern political entities, promoting a richer, more informed engagement with scripture and history.

Article of Faith: Waiting for God (2) by Femi Aribisala originally appeared on Premium Times Nigeria.


Like it? Share with your friends!

0

What's Your Reaction?

confused confused
0
confused
Dislike Dislike
0
Dislike
hate hate
0
hate
fail fail
0
fail
fun fun
0
fun
geeky geeky
0
geeky
love love
0
love
lol lol
0
lol
omg omg
0
omg
win win
0
win

0 Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Choose A Format
Personality quiz
Series of questions that intends to reveal something about the personality
Trivia quiz
Series of questions with right and wrong answers that intends to check knowledge
Poll
Voting to make decisions or determine opinions
Story
Formatted Text with Embeds and Visuals
List
The Classic Internet Listicles
Countdown
The Classic Internet Countdowns
Open List
Submit your own item and vote up for the best submission
Ranked List
Upvote or downvote to decide the best list item
Meme
Upload your own images to make custom memes
Video
Youtube and Vimeo Embeds
Audio
Soundcloud or Mixcloud Embeds
Image
Photo or GIF
Gif
GIF format
Whether you should hire a car accident lawyer in long beach. News on manchester united.