“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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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
