How to Build Faith When the Wait Gets Long
6 Day Devotional
Day 1: When Waiting Wears You Down
Focus: Recap & Emotional/Spiritual Connection
Scripture: Genesis 15:1 – “Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.’” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
Waiting is hard. It tests our hope, stretches our emotions, and often leaves us feeling forgotten. Abram had been waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled—specifically, the promise of a son. But all he saw was time passing and nothing changing. Just when discouragement could’ve overtaken him, God spoke again.
This is the grace of God: He meets us in our waiting with reassurance, not rebuke. He sees our fear, our frustration, and our fatigue. His word to Abram, “Do not be afraid,” is the same word He whispers to us when our faith is worn thin.
Waiting isn’t wasted when we remember who we’re waiting on. The God who made the promise still sees, still speaks, and still moves—often in ways we cannot yet see.
Reflection Questions:
What promise from God are you currently waiting on?
How have you seen God meet you in seasons of delay before?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, You know how tired I am of waiting. But I believe You still speak, still see, and still keep Your promises. Remind me today that You are near.
Action Step:
Take 5 minutes to write down what you’re waiting for—and then write out what you believe God is saying to you in this season.
Day 2: Why Genesis 15 Matters
Focus: Biblical Depth or Background
Scripture: Genesis 15:6 – “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
Genesis 15 is one of the most foundational passages in the Bible. Here, God reaffirms His promise to Abram and introduces something radical: faith is the basis of righteousness. Abram wasn’t perfect, and his circumstances hadn’t changed, but something shifted in his heart—he believed God.
This moment echoes through Scripture. Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 in Romans and Galatians to explain that we are made right with God by faith, not by works. It all started with this aging man in a desert, looking at a star-filled sky, daring to believe that God was telling the truth.
Genesis 15 also reveals the covenant-making character of God. Unlike contracts that depend on both parties, God takes full responsibility by walking through the covenant alone (v. 17). He was saying, “This promise rests on Me.”
Reflection Questions:
What does Genesis 15:6 teach you about how God sees faith?
Why is it significant that God walked through the covenant alone?
Prayer Prompt:
God, thank You for showing me that faith—not perfection—is what pleases You. Help me to trust Your covenant-keeping nature today.
Action Step:
Look up Romans 4 and read how Paul describes Abraham’s faith. Journal 2–3 verses that speak to your current situation.
Day 3: When Faith Feels Fragile
Focus: Heart-Level Reflection
Scripture: Genesis 15:2 – “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
Abram didn’t pretend everything was fine. He laid his fears before God. That takes courage—and faith. Sometimes we wrongly believe that expressing doubt is a sign of weakness, but real faith invites God into our struggle.
Abram teaches us that you can believe God and still wrestle with disappointment. God didn’t dismiss Abram’s honesty. Instead, He responded with clarity and compassion. Our relationship with God deepens not by hiding our fears, but by bringing them into the light.
God is big enough to handle your “why” and “when.” He doesn’t demand emotional silence; He invites emotional honesty.
Reflection Questions:
Are you holding back any emotions or questions from God right now?
What would it look like to speak those fears in faith, not rebellion?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, here’s where I’m hurting... (be honest). Help me believe that You’re still working, even in my questions.
Action Step:
Take time today to pray out loud and tell God how you truly feel about your waiting season—without editing or filtering.
Day 4: Living by Faith, Not by Sight
Focus: Personal Application
Scripture: Genesis 15:5 – “Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars... That’s how many descendants you will have!’” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
God led Abram out of his tent—out of his limited, enclosed view—and told him to look up. That’s a picture of faith. Sometimes we get stuck inside the tent of our circumstances, only seeing what’s not happening. But God invites us to look higher and trust His vision.
Abram had no son, yet God told him to count stars. That’s not just poetic—it’s prophetic. Faith sees what God sees, even before it’s visible.
When you’re stuck in discouragement, you need a new perspective. God’s Word gives that. Lift your eyes today. Look at His faithfulness, not your frustration.
Reflection Questions:
What “tent” are you stuck inside that is limiting your perspective?
How is God inviting you to see beyond your current view?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, lift my eyes today. Help me see what You see and trust what You’ve said, even when I don’t see it yet.
Action Step:
Go outside tonight and look at the stars. As you do, repeat this: “God keeps His promises. He’s not done with me.”
Day 5: Encouraging Faith in Others
Focus: Community or Outward Focus
Scripture: Hebrews 10:23–24 – “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm... Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
Faith isn’t just a personal journey—it’s a community walk. When we’re discouraged, we need others to remind us of God’s promises. And when we see others struggling, God may use us to help lift their faith.
Abram’s story was recorded not just for his benefit, but for ours. Our faith journey can become someone else’s encouragement. When we share our process, it breathes hope into others who are still waiting.
Don’t underestimate the power of your testimony, your prayers, or your presence. Someone near you may need your reminder: God still keeps His promises.
Reflection Questions:
Who around you might need encouragement to keep believing God?
How has someone’s faith strengthened yours in the past?
Prayer Prompt:
Jesus, show me someone I can encourage today. Give me the words or actions that will point them back to Your faithfulness.
Action Step:
Call, text, or pray with someone who’s waiting on God. Share Genesis 15:6 with them as a word of encouragement.
Day 6: Take the Step, Even If You’re Still Waiting
Focus: Faith-in-Action Challenge
Scripture: James 2:22 – “You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.” (NLT)
Devotional Thought:
Faith is more than a feeling—it’s movement. Even before Abram saw the promise fulfilled, he acted on God’s word. Faith doesn’t always look like celebration. Sometimes, it looks like perseverance. Waiting in faith is active, not passive.
Today, what’s one way you can move forward, even if you’re still in the waiting room? It could be obeying a nudge from the Spirit, recommitting to prayer, or making a decision that aligns with God’s promise. Don’t wait for the fulfillment to walk in faith. Move now.
Reflection Questions:
What’s one action I’ve been avoiding because I’m still waiting on God?
How can I show God today that I still trust Him?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, help me to walk by faith today—not just talk about it. Give me courage to act on what You’ve promised.
Action Step:
Take a bold, obedient step today that reflects your trust in God. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—move in faith.