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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
STILL WAITING?
My husband and I just returned from six days in Prague. We took a group from our German church to visit a mission work there. It was such a blessing to fellowship with the Czech believers. Although we sometimes needed a translator to help with the language differences, our hearts were bonded because we have the same Father.
The work there is slow and I was reminded again of the need for waiting - waiting upon God's timing and His working. I talked about this subject last week, but I want to share some more of my thoughts.
We are told in the first chapter of Luke about Zacharias and Elisabeth. They were both righteous and obedient before the Lord. Yet, they had prayed and been waiting many years for a child. God had not given them one.
When God delays in answering our prayers, we tend to think there must be something wrong, some sin in our lives, that God is not listening or that He is saying no. It is important to be sure our hearts are in order, but sin may not be the problem. It was not the problem for Zacharias and Elisabeth. It was simply not time. They had to wait. Why? What was God waiting for? I don't claim to know all the possible answers to that question but I do know one reason. Their son was to be the forerunner to Jesus Christ. Therefore, his birth had to wait until it was near the time of Jesus birth. The Father had it all planned. He did not explain it in advance to Zacharias and Elisabeth, but they had to wait. When the time was right God blessed them in their old age with the desire of their heart----a child. He was a special child for a special purpose that would bring glory and honor to God.
I believe waiting in our lives is often the same. God is listening and our prayers will be answered, in His time. He wants to teach us to trust Him, and not to be discouraged or despaired because we are required to wait. He has a plan.
Zacharias and Elisabeth did not get angry at God and quit serving Him because God had not given them a child. The Bible says "they were both righteous and were walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." They served God because of who He is not because of what He gave them. Their prayer was answered in due season.
Are you waiting? Have faith in God and His faithfulness and keep serving Him.
"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."Psalms 37:4-5 POINT TO PONDER:
What is your reason for serving God?
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- Sandy Hastings July 22, 2008 |
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