As humans, one of our least favorite activities is to wait. To wait in line, to wait until Christmas, to wait until marriage, even to wait until lunch! We hate to wait for anything. There is no such thing as delayed gratification in America. Our whole marketing system is based on getting what you want NOW. We try to eliminate waiting all together.
Yet again, the Bible stands in opposition to the world's view. We are instructed to do what we hate most-- wait. Almost always we find that God's plan doesn't happen in our time. We want to find a job today, meet our spouses tomorrow, and be married and settled in a week's time! But what if there's a reason that Jesus doesn't let it happen that way? What if He has a reason for us to stay put? Maybe, just maybe, there are things we need to learn before what we want to happen can actually happen. Maybe He allows for some delayed gratification to keep us from self-destruction.
The Bible tells us also, that the Lord Himself goes before us! He goes ahead and does all the muscle work that needs to be done before we can reach that next point in our lives. He makes sure everything aligns perfectly so that when we arrive, we will have everything we need to accept His gifts in His timing. And what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Be still. In this fast-paced, make-it-happen society, that can be the toughest thing of all.
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (NIV)
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God (NIV)
I strive to live so confident in the Lord that I will not be anxious in anything, but trust wholly in His timing. I want to live only in the reality that He already has everything figured out and that I must only wait patiently for Him to gift it to me. I don't have to do anything except seek Him! He will not be a second too late. During that waiting time, I can only keep doing what I know is right and true and strive to live in righteousness with the Lord. He will always come through just in time.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (ESV)
Psalm 37:7-9 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. (ESV)
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)
Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (ESV)
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (ESV)
Yet again, the Bible stands in opposition to the world's view. We are instructed to do what we hate most-- wait. Almost always we find that God's plan doesn't happen in our time. We want to find a job today, meet our spouses tomorrow, and be married and settled in a week's time! But what if there's a reason that Jesus doesn't let it happen that way? What if He has a reason for us to stay put? Maybe, just maybe, there are things we need to learn before what we want to happen can actually happen. Maybe He allows for some delayed gratification to keep us from self-destruction.
The Bible tells us also, that the Lord Himself goes before us! He goes ahead and does all the muscle work that needs to be done before we can reach that next point in our lives. He makes sure everything aligns perfectly so that when we arrive, we will have everything we need to accept His gifts in His timing. And what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Be still. In this fast-paced, make-it-happen society, that can be the toughest thing of all.
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (NIV)
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God (NIV)
I strive to live so confident in the Lord that I will not be anxious in anything, but trust wholly in His timing. I want to live only in the reality that He already has everything figured out and that I must only wait patiently for Him to gift it to me. I don't have to do anything except seek Him! He will not be a second too late. During that waiting time, I can only keep doing what I know is right and true and strive to live in righteousness with the Lord. He will always come through just in time.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (ESV)
Psalm 37:7-9 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. (ESV)
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)
Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (ESV)
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (ESV)
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