Genuine Honor

 

Often, my siblings and I host dinners at our homes and invite the whole family. We send each other a quick text with the set time. Once dinner is served and all the siblings have gathered, there is usually a spot set aside just for Dad. We never know what he is doing when he says he’ll be right there. Sometimes it’s over an hour past the appointed time, and he’s nowhere to be seen. Of course, every host worries about the meal getting cold and the children who nag to eat. But where is Dad? All you can do is wait patiently. Sometimes, we give up waiting and start eating. Dad never gets mad but will throw in a funny joke about our lack of patience.

I didn't think much of it until one day I realized he jokes about it because his honor is on the line. We honor him by waiting patiently. Even in his delays, time isn't wasted; it is an opportunity to show him respect.

I’ve noticed a similar pattern when we spend quiet time waiting on the Lord. We often find ourselves waiting for His presence, waiting for breakthrough, or waiting on answers to our prayers. It’s easy to view that waiting as wasted time, but in reality, it’s a meaningful way to reverence and honor the Lord in the wait.

The Bible tells a similar story of how Samuel told King Saul to wait in Gilgal. Saul waited seven days, but when Samuel didn’t arrive and his army started to disperse, he grew anxious. Acting out of impatience, Saul performed the ceremony himself. As soon as he finished, Samuel appeared. Saul ran to him and tried to honor Samuel verbally, but it was too late—God was not pleased with his actions.

Sometimes I wonder if Samuel’s delay was on purpose. Maybe God wanted to give Saul an opportunity to show genuine honor and faith, not just with words but by waiting patiently. When we wait, we choose to trust.  Each moment is an opportunity to grow in faith and honor God.