Psalm 27:1, 14 (NASB)1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
14Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.
I find it interesting that David begins this psalm with the bold statement that he has nothing to fear because he has God as his light, salvation and defense, and he ends the psalm with a reminder that we are to be strong and take courage as we wait for God to act on our behalf. His reminder to “take courage” is an admission that waiting on God rather than acting on one’s own behalf involves an act of faith.
I must admit that my personality type is one that wants to analyze a situation, state the problem, develop alternatives to solve the problem, decide on a best course of action, and then act on that decision. In some situations, there’s nothing wrong with this; however, there are times when one alternative is to wait and see how God wants to deal with a situation.
What do we do then in the intervening time between the realization that God is acting in a matter and we realize the results of God’s action? We could do as Abram and Sarai did in the case of the birth of an heir to Abram – figure out our solution to God’s promise with the result being family problems that persist to today. Or, we can take God’s promise to act in his time, meaning we wait for God’s leadership.
I wish there were some easy answers to this, but I am convinced that God allows us to be in these situations to learn more about Him and ourselves. A passage from Colossians 1:9-11 (NIV) has something to add to this, I believe. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”
God wants us to learn endurance and patience so we can become more like He wants us to be. To be more like him, we must begin to understand the patience and endurance He is exhibiting toward us. If we ever think we have overcome the issue of impatience, isn’t it interesting how God can subtly remind us that we still have more to learn?
I'm a Mommy Again!!!
15 years ago
1 comment:
Hey, Daddy, This is the best one yet. Maybe because I understand it all too well. I cannot say that I have "arrived," but I am thankful that through the struggles, God has taught me that victory and comfort come by waiting for Him. It is a life-changing experience to have no other course of action but to trust Him. On one hand, I wish I hadn't had to go through it; on another, I wouldn't change a thing because of what I learned. I was reminded of another passage when I read this: James 1:2-8,12
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
I love you! Keep 'em coming!
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