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- Apr 25, 2006
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Wait!
'...After waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.' Hebrews 6:15 NIV
When you're praying for something, the last thing you want to hear God say is 'Wait!' But sometimes He does. And in order to walk with Him you must learn to be patient, because He works according to His schedule and not yours. All your praying and pleading won't accelerate the process, it'll just frustrate you. Furthermore, if life has indulged your every want and whim, learning to wait on God will be like going through spiritual rehab.
When Abraham was 75, God promised to make him '...a father of many nations.' (Genesis 17:4 NKJV) But he had to wait over 24 years before he 'received what was promised'. Waiting isn't simply something you do in order to get what you want; waiting produces patience, maturity, understanding and character.
What God accomplishes in you while you're waiting is often more important than the thing you're waiting for. 'You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.' (Hebrews 10:36 NIV) Now, waiting isn't an excuse for dodging reality, shirking your responsibility, or not doing the right thing.
For example, if you're up to your eyeballs in debt due to overspending, don't sit around waiting for God to send you a big cheque. Learn to discipline yourself and adopt sound financial principles like tithing, budgeting and doing without things until you can pay for them.
Above all, waiting means making a decision to trust and obey God when things aren't going the way you planned. It's saying, 'Lord, I'm counting on You and I don't have a backup plan.'
written by Bob Gass
'...After waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.' Hebrews 6:15 NIV
When you're praying for something, the last thing you want to hear God say is 'Wait!' But sometimes He does. And in order to walk with Him you must learn to be patient, because He works according to His schedule and not yours. All your praying and pleading won't accelerate the process, it'll just frustrate you. Furthermore, if life has indulged your every want and whim, learning to wait on God will be like going through spiritual rehab.
When Abraham was 75, God promised to make him '...a father of many nations.' (Genesis 17:4 NKJV) But he had to wait over 24 years before he 'received what was promised'. Waiting isn't simply something you do in order to get what you want; waiting produces patience, maturity, understanding and character.
What God accomplishes in you while you're waiting is often more important than the thing you're waiting for. 'You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.' (Hebrews 10:36 NIV) Now, waiting isn't an excuse for dodging reality, shirking your responsibility, or not doing the right thing.
For example, if you're up to your eyeballs in debt due to overspending, don't sit around waiting for God to send you a big cheque. Learn to discipline yourself and adopt sound financial principles like tithing, budgeting and doing without things until you can pay for them.
Above all, waiting means making a decision to trust and obey God when things aren't going the way you planned. It's saying, 'Lord, I'm counting on You and I don't have a backup plan.'
written by Bob Gass
