“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness..” ( 2 Peter 3:9)
Patience is one of the key defining aspects of our relationship with God. Indeed, if anyone aspires to come closer to God and share his nature this is an area any of us must first deal with. And, besides, there are many characters given to us in the Bible, to draw lessons from.
Moses started out as an intemperate character eager to have his ways. But God had to slow him down, before he was released for his earthly commission ( Exodus 3).
But let us not forget Abraham. Coming up in years without a child any could understand Abraham’s growing impatience with this God quite slow to act to give him a child he desired. One day he could take it no more. Induced by his wife Sarah, perhaps out of concern for his mental health, Abraham turned to his maid Hagar. “He slept with Hagar, and she conceived” ( Gen 16:4). However, this was all ahead of time and what came of this relationship birthed two nations - the Palestine’s of Ishmael and Israelites of Isaac-later ever at war!
For Christ to be born it had to take time. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” ( Gal 4:4-5). Here we must be reminded that by the time of Jesus’s birth it was close to 700 years since Isaiah had first given prophecy of his birth! Needless to say, some had already given up and taken to other Messiahs of their own choice. But, like with Abraham, usually for such the end is often not pretty, especially once you walk out of God’s chosen path.
Today, you could have a situation of a matter long in coming and you’re getting a bit sore. There could be an issue pressing you down and you just want to get done with it and moreover you apparently have all the power to take your own course. You know what- just slow down! In all such matters it would be well to remember, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” ( Isaiah 40:31).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you are a God who takes His time to fulfill His will, I pray for the gift of patience and to learn to wait upon you, for the fulfillment of your will upon my life and in all my affairs, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
