“The concept of waiting seems counterintuitive in a frantic, chaotic world. Nothing less than instant gratification is acceptable in such a society. We want results today, eliminating all consternation from the unknown. Perhaps that is one reason why scripture reinforces that our responsibility in salvation depends not upon our merits but on our faith in Christ. And faith in Christ requires us to wait for Him....

For those who faithfully wait, the Lord promised compensatory blessings to enable success and fulfillment: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Mary and Martha experienced that requisite waiting and the Lord's abundant response when their brother Lazarus fell seriously ill and died.”