Abraham, Moses, and David Wait

When Abraham was 75 years old, his literal journey of faith began. We always talk about the faith of Abraham, but he'd been in training for 75 years. He also waited a lot: at first for God's Bible-worthy plans for his life to begin; 25 years for the birth of Isaac; 37 more years for Isaac's marriage; and 38 years for his own death.

When he was 100, his son Isaac was born. Isaac waited until he was 47 and his mother was dead before he got married to Rebekah.

After Isaac's marriage, Abraham remarried and had six more sons, which grew up and were then sent away (with gifts) to protect Isaac's inheritance. Isaac was 75 when he buried his father. His youngest brother could have been as old as 32.

Moses was 40 when he decided to associate himself with Israel as their deliverer. By faith, he perceived that was not God's timing, and fled into the wilderness of Midian (Hebrews 11). There he was married (again, at least 40 years old), had two sons, and then met God at the burning bush when he was 80. Yes. At 80 years of age Moses marched back into Egypt and demanded the release of the Jewish people. At 80 he led them out of Egypt across the Red Sea. For forty years Moses was the patient leader of Israel in the wilderness as he aged towards 120 years old. This man wrote Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as well as a few of the Psalms - all after he was 80!

Some men were called from their youth to serve God. Others waited to burst onto the scene. David's entire life recorded in detail, is perhaps the best illustration of how God works. David was anointed king when he was still young. Then he spent years as a shepherd, or servant in the palace, then a warrior before he finally got the throne. But God was training him, and exposing him to the skills he needed for his future. Most famously, David had practice fighting beasts before he came against Goliath. I'm encouraged by the examples of these men who waited, who exercised their faith so they were ready when God asked something we would consider big.

To God be all glory.