Waiting for God's resolution

Acts 5:38-39  " 'Therefore, in the present case I advise you: leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose and activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.' "

These verses are from the debate that occurred among members of the Sanhedrin, the council of elders of Israel, regarding whether or not to put the apostles to death for teaching the Gospel.  Gamaliel, a well-respected member of the Sanhedrin, made the argument that stopping this movement was not solely up to them.  He recognized how powerful the teaching was and how much zeal and energy the apostles had.  He knew that if they were acting only in their own human power, the effort was unsustainable.  They would eventually run out of energy and passion and the problem facing the Sanhedrin would correct itself.  If this movement did happen to be from God, however, they didn't want to fight a battle that could not be won.  Time would tell, one way or the other.

Having patience while God sorts out what is temporary (i.e. of human origin) and what is permanent (i.e. from God) is a virtue that is much easier talked about than practiced.  The time spent waiting for the true result is difficult.  But maybe the ultimate result we are waiting for is not the point, but rather the key is what we learn while we wait.  If you are waiting for God to resolve an issue, pay attention to what He has to teach you in the interim.  Resolution will come, but He may not bring about resolution until He has taught you all He wants you to know.