Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: Numbers 13-16 | 2 Corinthians 5

Before finding my way as a storyteller, I found the courage to share my writing online with peers to receive feedback and build confidence. I don’t remember all the comments, but for months my thoughts kept circling back to an article by a book reviewer. He messaged me and gladly pointed me to the site where he posted his review of my unpolished material. 

He succeeded in tearing me apart, chastising me for breaking rules, and pointing out my ignorance of the arts. I reached out to see if he would offer advice instead of lighter fluid, but he remained silent. Thankfully, one person’s attitude couldn’t dull my passion. 

I kept perfecting my craft, choosing to learn from some of the best. I broke rules until I found my voice, then discovered a spoken poem, “Native Tongue” by Micah Bournes, that wove the past with the present, and I knew writing was my gift. I didn’t see immediate results, but that didn’t mean there was no progress. I put in the work while waiting. 

That reviewer had his moment, but I refused to let his criticism have mine.

Hebrews 6:11-12
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

These verses essentially say, don’t let your season of waiting make you spiritually lazy. It’s okay to be disappointed, but don’t become indifferent. 

Keep trusting. Keep serving. Keep loving. Your circumstances may change slowly, but your response to them can change today.

What does your waiting season look like? Maybe you’ve been working overtime at the same job for years without a promotion. You’ve apologized a million times, but the other person refuses to listen. You’ve been saved, but you don’t think your feet fit the steps God ordered. 

God’s timing doesn’t move at the speed of your expectations, so learn what it means to truly wait. It’s remaining faithful, not standing still. It’s serving others. Waiting is being available.

Hebrews 6:11-12 teaches us to measure faithfulness by faith and endurance. Daniel remained diligent in his exile. Joseph practiced patience. Noah spent decades building the ark. 

Who will you be while you’re waiting?

Questions: 
What does faithfulness look like in your current waiting season? 

What are you learning while waiting for what you want? 

What if God isn’t asking you to wait for something? What if he’s asking you to become someone while you wait?

Next Steps: 
Stay faithful where you are by learning what it means to love people, pray, serve, and do work in your city. 

Give God your timeline by praying for what you want, but surrendering your deadline for when you want to receive it. 

Find people who demonstrate what faithful waiting looks like, rather than only those who have what you want.

Prayer: 
God, teach me how to truly wait. When your timing moves slower than my expectations, keep me from becoming discouraged, bitter, or indifferent. Help me recognize that waiting is not wasted time. When I can't see progress, remind me that you are still working. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 13:35
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.