In the first article we talked about God's Toil With His Creation and how virtues take time to blossom.  We would also like to note that sometimes God calls someone for a certain task or gives another a certain promise, only to be followed by a long period of waiting.

For example, God promised Abraham that his seed shall be as many as "the dust of the earth" (Genesis 13:16) and as the "stars of the sky" (Genesis 15:5).  However it wasn't until years later when Isaac was born to Abraham from Sarah.  Abraham has waited so long that Sarah laughed at the idea that she can still have children since Abraham and Sarah were now "old and well advanced in years" (Genesis 18:11).

Another example we see is Joseph.  He waited many years for his dreams to be fulfilled.  However, it wasn't until after he was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a well, imprisoned in Egypt, remained faithful to God and rose to glory again.

Moses waited many years as well before God would use him to deliver his people from the hands of Pharaoh.  It wasn't until he fled to the desert and lived many years there that God appeared to him in the burning bush and told him how he was to deliver his people.

Even when he delivered Israel from Egypt, Israel waited 40 years wandering in the desert before they entered into the promised land.  It wasn't until they saw God's wonders and miracles such as the pillar of cloud in the morning, and fire in the evening, the parting of the sea, the manna, the quail, the bronze serpent, the water from the rock, etc...

Hannah the wife of Elkanah also waited a long time for God to provide her with a child.  However it wasn't until she prayed fervently to God and vowed the child to God, that God granted her Samuel the prophet.

King David as well waited for years after being anointed a king by Samuel the prophet.  He didn't assume the throne right away, but he had to flee from Saul and live a fugitive life and lead a group of misfits first before he can take his throne.

Zacharias the priest and Elizabeth waited a long time till they were also well advanced in years for a child to be born, even though "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (Luke 1:6).  God however had someone great prepared for them who will be called "great in the sight of the Lord..." (Luke 1:15).

Joachim and Anna waited for years for God to provide them with a child.  It wasn't until Anna had questioned her purpose in this world and prayed to God fervently and with a contrite heart and vowed to devote the child to the temple.  That's when God answered her prayers and provided her with St. Mary who is to be the Theotokos (Mother of God).

St. John the Apostle saw all the rest of the Apostles martyred before he died.  His brother James was the first to be martyred.  However God kept him waiting to be the last Apostle to die in order to reveal to him His secrets on the island of Patmos.

Lastly, God waited thousands of years before being incarnated in order to save all of mankind.  God kept his people waiting, but during that time He kept visiting His people with many prophets and led His people through many events that would prepare them for the coming of The Messiah, in the fullness of time.

Just like we read in Psalm 1, that the righteous "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water" (Psalm 1:3).  A tree takes a long time to grow, and there is no other way than to wait.

We are all waiting "for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming ages." (The Nicene Creed).  Let us therefore wait on God's promises, trusting that there is wisdom in His timing, and looking for the great reward that God has planned for us, saying with King David who started Psalm 12 with "How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever?" but ended with "But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me."