Waiting on God…

 Wait for and confidently expect the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.—Psalm 27:14 AMP

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;

In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].—Psalm 5:3 AMP

There are sorrowful situations and circumstances in my life for which I have been waiting on the Lord for more than 20 years.  Twenty years is a long time to walk with grief as a companion. I have come to understand over the years, however, that this waiting more than anything else in my life has caused me to cling to Jesus and deepen my relationship with Him. And for that I thank Him.  

Each of us probably have petitions that we bring to the Lord daily...even hourly.  Some of us may have been praying, pleading and earnestly desiring and waiting on the Lord’s timing to answer for years.  

Here is a little of what I have learned as I wait. 

God’s desire toward us (ME!) is good and His plans for us are from His heart of love.  (Psalm 33:11)

The Lord gives grace and glory; He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84)

This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me and given me life. (Psalms 119:50)

I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love,

Because You have seen my affliction;

You have taken note of my life's distresses, (Psalm 31:7)

The LORD said, "I have in fact seen the affliction (suffering, desolation) of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters (oppressors); for I know their pain and suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand (power) of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a land [that is] good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]((Exodus)

In all their distress He was distressed,

And the angel of His presence saved them,

In His love and in His compassion He redeemed them;

And He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.—Isaiah 63:9

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him.—Ps 91:14-15

For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.—Ps 9:10

The best part of this waiting as I said before is that as I do my relationship with my God is deepened and my faith is increased.  But the gift in the waiting is Him.  Beloved…as we wait for the Lord to act on our behalf, to help, to rescue, to vindicate or to change our situation, The Lord our God waits with us. As Hebrews 13:5 promises “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” There are truly no words of thanksgiving in any language to cover that one incomparable, indescribable blessing. 

Hear the cry of each of our hearts this morning, Father.  Help us to persist in prayer...humbling ourselves under Your mighty hand...surrendering and submitting to Your will.  Help us to place our hope and our confidence in You alone. While there is life, Father, there is hope...may our sorrow and discouragement never hinder our worship.  Oh, help us to pray and may You be gracious to us.  Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Blessed is the man who makes You His trust.  Blessed are all those who wait for You. Be gracious to us, Father, as we seek You.

On Drawing Near to God…

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.—James 4

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."—Matthew 11:28-30

As a child I can remember calling out to my mom from my bed at night.  She usually heard on the first “mom” and always got up and came in to see what I needed. I loved also that the last thing I usually saw as I closed my eyes at night and went to sleep was my mom sitting in “her spot” at the end of the couch nearest to my bedroom. That picture is one of the most comforting memories of my childhood.  She was always there, always available and always kind.  

I am an adult now with children and grandchildren of my own, but that memory of her consistent presence and care has stayed with me.  I was reminded of it this morning as I read these Scriptures from Isaiah…

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'—Isaiah 58:9

"I was sought by those who did not ask for Me;

I was found by those who did not seek Me.

I said, 'Here I am, here I am,'

To a nation that was not called by My name.—Isaiah 65:1

God’s love and care for us, as His precious children, never ceases. His kindness is always before our eyes.  God is near to help, forgive, comfort and bless us… Here in these verses He seems to make Himself totally available to His people saying to them, "Here I am."  Almost as if to say…Here I am, waiting to bless you. Beloved…If my mom, as a fallen human being, knew how to love, care and comfort me, how much more does our God?

Oh, Father…I am like a child before You.  I don’t know how to come out or come in!  I need You daily…I need You desperately.  Remind me often of this precious memory and of how very much I depended on my mom.  I walked through my childhood knowing that she was always there and always available.  

As an adult, You are my ever present God.  You are my Emanuel…my God who is always with me.  I want to walk through the rest of my years depending on You. Your love for me is from everlasting and Your grace toward me abounds!  You bid me to come to You.  You desire to give me your supernatural comfort, peace and rest.  You want to take on all my cares and all my burdens. Oh, Father…Why do I hesitate? Why do I go anywhere else? You and You alone have the words of eternal life.  Make this drawing near to You the WHOLE point of my life! When I do this, I have done all that is needed. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5-6

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.—Psalm 46:1

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:11

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,

And He brings them out of their distresses.

He calms the storm,

So that its waves are still.

Then they are glad because they are quiet;

So He guides them to their desired haven.—Psalm 107:29-30

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.—Jeremiah 29:12-13

I called on the LORD in distress;

The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.

The LORD is on my side;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

The LORD is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

It is better to trust in the LORD

Than to put confidence in man.

It is better to trust in the LORD

Than to put confidence in princes.—Psalm 118:5-9

2 Corinthians 11:16-33...

In chapter 10, verse 18 Paul says this about self-commendation.  

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Clearly, Paul did not want to boast as the false apostles were doing, but Paul was not boasting in himself, but in God.  He was not boasting to protect “his” ministry or “his” good name...Paul was boasting as a means to protect his Corinthian flock from rejecting the true Gospel for a false one. 

Here in verses 16-33 Paul comes back to what he had been speaking of in 10:18 and in Chapter 11:1-6.  As I read, what hit my own heart and gave me pause were verses 28-30.

Read verses 22-30 paying special attention to those three verses...

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.—2 Corinthians 11:22-30

What bothered Paul the most in ALL of his sufferings for the gospel of Jesus Christ, was NOT the physical suffering he faced, but the ever-present mental and emotional burden of concern he felt for the people of God.  Oh, to have a heart like Paul’s...a heart so filled with Christ’s compassion, concern and love for the people in my own life, that it eclipses not only my physical sufferings but also my self-focus...my me, myself and I, thinking.  

Paul knew what he said in verse 30 was true...He could boast and would boast in his infirmity because doing so magnified God’s power which worked in him mightily.  

I didn’t sleep much last night because my own heart was faint and burdened for those I love. Both Paul’s words and example here in Chapter 11 were a good reminder for me this morning to always pray and not lose heart...to boast in my weakness and in my infirmities because that is when the power of Christ’s may rest on me.  God’s word in Romans 8 tells me that the Spirit also helps me in my weaknesses, saying:

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

When I am weak, He is strong. When I don’t know how to pray for the people I love, it’s okay...He does.  I TRULY CAN do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me. 

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.—Colossians 1:29

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.—2 Timothy 2:20-21

Jesus is Enough…

 On accepting the will of the Lord…

"It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him."—1 Samuel 3:18

On being consoled by remembering God’s mighty deeds

I cried out to God with my voice—

To God with my voice;

And He gave ear to me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;

My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;

My soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered God, and was troubled;

I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.

Selah

You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I have considered the days of old,

The years of ancient times.

I call to remembrance my song in the night;

I meditate within my heart,

And my spirit makes diligent search.

Will the Lord cast off forever?

And will He be favorable no more?

Has His mercy ceased forever?

Has His promise failed forevermore?

Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?

Selah

And I said, "This is my anguish;

But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High."

I will remember the works of the LORD;

Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

I will also meditate on all Your work,

And talk of Your deeds.

Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;

Who is so great a God as our God?

You are the God who does wonders;

You have declared Your strength among the peoples.

You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,

The sons of Jacob and Joseph.

Selah

The waters saw You, O God;

The waters saw You, they were afraid;

The depths also trembled.

The clouds poured out water;

The skies sent out a sound;

Your arrows also flashed about.

The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;

The lightnings lit up the world;

The earth trembled and shook.

Your way was in the sea,

Your path in the great waters,

And Your footsteps were not known.

You led Your people like a flock

By the hand of Moses and Aaron.—Psalm 77

On being content…

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.—Philippians 4:11-13

Beloved…Paul learned the “secret” of being content in any circumstance.  The word contentment in our Bible carries the meaning of being sufficient. Paul uses the same Greek root in Philippians 4 as he does in 2 Corinthians 12:9a, “... My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul secret was simply that he learned (and practice IS required) to depend on the Lord’s grace for help. 

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].—Hebrews 4:16 AMP

Admitting weakness and humbly seeking help from God doesn’t come naturally to me. I don’t know about you, but my flesh is strong and my pride doesn’t like to surrender.  Each time we do, however, our spirit gets stronger and our flesh weaker.  And THAT is such a good thing because when we are weak then He is strong. Outside there are conflicts, inside are fears, BUT NEVERTHELESS GOD…

Jesus was enough whether Paul was well fed or hungry. The AMPLIFIED puts it this way…

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]—Philippians 4:13

My new mantra when I am tempted to give way to faithlessness and fear is simply this.

JESUS IS ENOUGH…

Whatever I face, whatever happens…even if all my worse fears are realized…

JESUS IS ENOUGH

He will see me through all.  His grace is sufficient.  I will remember His mighty deeds in MY life. I will remember His comforting and consoling kindnesses in all my afflictions. Like Eli, in 1 Samuel, I will remember that it is the Lord…let Him do as seems good to Him. 

Radiant Joy for Sorrow…

And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day."

And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman."—Ruth 4:9-12

Today’s reading in the book of Ruth reminded me that God brings beauty from ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 

Ephrathah is another name for Bethlehem.  Micah, the prophet, predicted Bethlehem would be where the Messiah would be born.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting."—Micah 5:2

The union between Ruth and Boaz would bring forth not only David, Israel’s greatest earthly king, but also Jesus Christ, the Eternal King and Savior of the world. 

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:

Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.

David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.—Matthew 1:1-16

Naomi (Ruth’s mother-in-law) went out from Israel “full” with a husband and two sons.  She returned 10 years later “bitter and empty” with only her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, for comfort and provision. (Her husband and two sons died during their sojourn in Moab). Both Ruth and Naomi’s futures from a human perspective appeared bleak.

Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"

But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"—Ruth 1:19-21

BUT GOD knew the plans He had for them both.  Plans for good and not for evil….to give them (and the whole world) a future and a hope.

Ruth, the Moabite, became the great grandmother of both King David and Jesus Christ.  Through Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, God provided not only Naomi with a kinsman redeemer but us as well. Jesus Christ became mankind’s Kinsman-Redeemer.   Jesus is He who makes things right before God the Father for those who trust in Him.

Beloved…God used the instruments of sorrow and hardship in these precious women’s lives to bring both radiant joy for sorrow and everlasting blessing for emptiness. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will do similarly in our lives as well. Trust Him. 

You visit the earth and water it,

You greatly enrich it;

The river of God is full of water;

You provide their grain,

For so You have prepared it.

You water its ridges abundantly,

You settle its furrows;

You make it soft with showers,

You bless its growth.

You crown the year with Your goodness,

And Your paths drip with abundance.

They drop on the pastures of the wilderness,

And the little hills rejoice on every side.

The pastures are clothed with flocks;

The valleys also are covered with grain;

They shout for joy, they also sing.—Psalm 65:9-13

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

Because the LORD has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."—Isaiah 61:1-3