by David Brenneman
Life Principle 14: God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
In this hurry-up world, waiting for anything can cause us to lose our temper and our good sense more often than we care to admit. Yet the Word of God insists we learn some of life’s greatest lessons while we wait. Though waiting rooms can be hard classrooms, God promises vast reward to those who wait for Him.
- from Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles study.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
Nobody that I have ever met has ever told me once of loving their experience in a waiting room.
We, if we're honest, hate waiting. Look at just this generation of people. Rather than think for themselves they want a computer to figure things out for them. They would rather sacrifice their own critical thinking than work at learning. Across the world students get kicked out of classes for using AI to do their school work.
In the real world we get impatient waiting for 5 minutes for food from the microwave.
We are so obsessed with not putting down a phone for fear of being that person who missed out on something that the various government agencies dump millions of dollars into roundabouts in an attempt to thwart collisions at intersections.
We are several generations deep into impatient people.
Yet the Scriptures teach the opposite. Those that wait upon the Lord will see Him work in their lives. Martha was chastised for putting work above waiting at the feet of Jesus to learn from Him.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.
We first need to admit, confess, our impatient behavior. We are.
A quick change oil changing place irritating people because they expected faster service.
A pizza delivery person getting barked at for how long it took to get their food.
We are impatient and while it goes on we fight the small voice urging us to rest.
We do. Just admit it now and get over the denial.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
To be truthful this week off from work has been frustrating. It really feels like a forced effort to make me rest. While the worldview is this came because of my employer the reality is Jesus allowed it. Jesus.
There's going to be times when Jesus necessitates a break because we're more frazzled, more out of tune, than we really realize.
So while I wait He’s keeping me busy with other things. His reasons will be the right reasons no matter what my perceptions of them are.
As that shepherd pointed out in his book on Psalm 23, it's not at all easy to make sheep lie down. We are compared to sheep for a reason.
Breathe.
I often just both get told to do this as well as tell others to do the same. Breathe.
There's battles to come for sure but if I don't rest when He says to rest then I won't be ready for them.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.
"For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.
The Apostles fought anxiety often. We will fight it as well. It's a part of life. We need the rest that God provides in order to grow in Christ as well as to prepare for the battles that He needs us for.
We certainly do not battle against flesh and blood. We are fighting in a battle in the spiritual realm. Jesus won the war at the cross but our enemy still is trying until all things are finished between now and the Final Judgment.
Rest in the Lord when He says it's time. You may need to scream first but rest in Him.
All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.
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