Dec 31, 2017
Something to Learn
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the
Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
There are many lessons for us to
learn in God's School of Obedience. With space for just two, I have chosen
principles that aren't easy. Yesterday, we learned that Christians must trust
the Lord. Today, let's tackle patience: Believers must learn to wait
upon Him.
Have you ever wondered why the
psalmist coupled the admonition to wait upon God with encouragement to be
strong and courageous? The reason is that sometimes delaying is the hardest
thing to do.
Modern culture is in such a
hurry. Gotta have it now! Gotta do it now! Can't wait! We've been primed to
stay in a permanent state of readiness. It takes courage to be still when the
world is rushing past. Everything in us hollers, "Go!" while God
whispers, "Wait." But people are quick to act, because they are
afraid of missing out on something. Believers who buy into that attitude make a
move and then hope God will bless them.
God leaves nothing to chance. He does
not place a decision before us with the hope that we'll make the right choice.
That would be irresponsible and out of character. The Father is more than
willing to show His children what to do, because He is personally interested in
their welfare. But until the Lord makes clear what is the way
forward, we've got to pause and wait.
Waiting upon God is not passive. It
is not lazy. It is not an excuse to be careless. In fact, the opposite is true.
Those who pause are seeking His will--which means that they are praying,
searching Scripture, perhaps even fasting. And they are still serving the Lord
wherever they can.