The Dove Found No Rest

Genesis 8:9a – But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot. (NKJV)

I used to be the worst of those restless people. My watchword was "Let's just get it done!" At times, even getting things done yesterday was "nuisance late" for my preferred schedule. Yes, I was one of those overly-exacting eager beavers! Waiting turned me into a chained animal. I was not a resting, trusting child of God. Consequently, I frequently found no rest for my soul or my sole.

Psalm 105:18a,19b – His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron until the word of the Lord tried and tested him. (AMP)

This teaching of God took me a long time to learn. I abundantly appreciate that He has been exceedingly patient with my impatience about timing — His timing. My late husband, with his easy-going Great Dane personality, often quoted, grinningly, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12 Complete Jewish Bible – CJB)

I learned the painful way that "everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want." (Proverbs 21:5 AMP)

The dove in today's Scripture, which Noah sent out from the ark, "found no resting place for the sole of her foot," because the flood waters had not abated sufficiently for her to land anywhere. Noah waited patiently, and at weekly intervals sent the dove out twice more. During the last flight, she obviously found a desired resting place, for she did not return.

Noah's obedience to God, his patience, and his wisdom in waiting were wonderfully rewarded. He could now leave the ark, to settle with his family into the promised new beginning, in God's perfect time.

Luke 1:20b – Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time — God's time. (MSG)

Oh yes, the good news is (and I will love Him and glory in Him forever for it) God always wins!

God wins ever so graciously and patiently. Learn I did! Instead of running ahead of God's schedule, causing harm by being His little helper in my own so-called efficiency, I now live believing that God's timing is always perfect. These days, I want to pray, "be still", to have God's peace flowing within me, and to wait for the Holy Spirit to lead me, rather than go dashing in with my damaging baggage.

I am convinced that it is much more pleasing, honouring, and obedient to Jesus when we do the least harm to His perfectly planned purposes and to His people, and even more preferable to do no harm at all. Besides, we truly do experience His glorious rest, peace, joy, and results, when we willingly wait for the Lord's perfect timing!

Prayer: Eternal thanks to You, Almighty God, for everything we can grow out of, and everything of You that we can grow into, through Your gracious refining plan and schedule. Your transformations and deliverances are perfectly thorough, when we cease resisting and insisting. Bless and praise Your holy name. Amen and Amen!

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