Learning to Wait On God and His Faithful Timing

In review of Lamentations 3:25-26 it says, “The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him, so it is best for us to wait in patience — to wait for him to save us.”

Bottom Line:

God is good to those who trust in him, so be patient for his timing.

What this means to me:

God is kind to those who trust and obey him. It is good for me to hope and wait quietly. He will provide the right outcome at the right time.

It will be important for me when things in life seem to be falling apart, or not going my way or in my timing, for me to get alone with God, and simply wait on Him.

Verse 28 in Lamentations further explains that, “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst” (Lamentations 3:28 MSG).

In today’s culture it hard to know how to “enter the silence.” I’m always anxious and I don’t like to wait on God because it causes me stress us out. I’d rather be in control and make things happen when I think they need to happen. I’m use to microwaving food instead of taking the time to cook it on the stove.

However, to wait on God means that I sit down, close my mouth, and just listen to Him. It’s ok to read His Word, and I may pray; but most all, I just need to be quiet in front of God.

Jeremiah tells us that anxiety comes when we’re not “waiting for hope to appear,” God wants to talk to me. He wants to give me the hope I crave. But often I’m way too busy. To use a phone analogy, all of my circuits are busy or when he calls, or I’m on a different line.

If I want to listen to God and experience the hope he has for me, then I need to get alone with him. I must “enter the silence” and be ready to hear him.

Jesus also said this same thing in Matthew 6:6: “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace” (MSG).

When I can get honest with God, my focus will shift from just seeing my problem, no matter how overwhelming it seems, to the grace of God.

Lamentations 3:25-26 says, “The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him, so it is best for us to wait in patience — to wait for him to save us” (GNT).

Before I go out and try to solve problems on my own, give God the opportunity to save me. So no matter what obstacle I might facing, I've got to wait for God’s timing. He’ll time my next move perfectly. So wait and listen.

In summary, Lamentations chapter 3 is all about learning to put one’s hope in God’s Faithfulness. My own rebellion will often lead me down the wrong path resulting in actions and outcomes I don’t like. Also, just because I have accepted Christ as my leader doesn't mean that I will never face difficulties or experience undeserved oppression. It is important for me to focus and put my hope in God. God is faithful and will never turn his back on me.  What I need to learn and appreciate is that he does things in his timing, not mine. His timing will always be for my best interests. So it is best for me to wait in patience knowing his faithfulness and love will provide what I need. This is applicable to me today, as we put our home up on the market. I need to wait on God’s timing for the buyer he wants to have this home. I need to know be anxious about selling it. I’ll need to be silent, spend time with Him and wait for his timing.

Using My Gifts As an Act of Worship

In review of John 15:8 it says, “When you produce much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified.”

Bottom Line:

When you produce much fruit, God is honored and glorified.

What this means to me:

I show being a true disciple by producing much fruit. This in turn brings God the Father, honor and glory.

To be a true disciple and to bring God honor and glory, I need to be using the gifts that He has given me. When I do, it becomes an act of worship on my behalf.

What I’m learning is that God smiles and is extremely pleased when I use the gifts that he’s provided me with. It’s not necessary for me to do something spiritual in order to bring God glory.

Today's verse says, “When you produce much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified” (John 15:8a AMP). When I use my gifts correctly, God will get the glory.

I won’t be able to please God with gifts I don’t have and God doesn't expect me to be talented or gifted at everything. He just wants me to use what he’s given me.

In the Bible, the word “joy” and the word “gift’ actually come from the same Greek word. It’s the word for “grace.” When I use my spiritual gifts, it brings joy to God, and it brings joy to me. One of the best feelings in the world occur from using my gifts for God’s purpose.

In retrospect, I believe God has equipped to lead, provide guidance / direction and some musical abilities.  Everything I do should be with the purpose of bringing glory and honor to God.  I need to strive to continue to use what God has gifted me with to serve others.

Learning To Take a Break

In review of Psalm 127:2 it says, “It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?”

Bottom Line:

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, working your worried finger to the bone. For the Lord wants to give rest to his loved ones and care for their needs.

What this means to me:

There is not much sense in working myself to death, or being a workaholic. God intends for me to rest and trust that he will provide for my needs.

This verse in Psalm 127 deals with one of the things that demands most of my time and competes for my attention and energy. It’s learning to be one who knows when to stop working. Working like this is not what God intended, and this verse reminds me that it is in vain and will contribute to the detriment of much more important matters.

There are times when I need to “burn the midnight oil” which requires extra effort and longer time commitments. A workaholic is one who has made this a pattern in their life. The reason why the workaholic toils in vain is because he has failed to appreciate the delicate balance between the need for work and the necessity of rest. A workaholic therefore chooses to capitalize on the curse of working and thus avoids the blessings afforded by God. By working day and night I would not be able to give diligent attention to more important matters such as study in God’s Word, worship and attention to family/friends.

The Bible tells me in Mark 12:30, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (NLT). Another way to say this is, love God with all my talk, feelings, thinking, and acting.

God says this in Psalm 127:2, “It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” (MSG) Personally I know I can have the tendency to be a doer with certain tasks and let it consume me. This verse reminds me that God wants me to also get proper rest. So, I may need to do less. Not less for God, but less in other areas so I’ll have more time to do what matters most.

When I became a believer, God made me a new person inside: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). The one thing that God didn't change was my personality. God won’t necessarily slow me down, He just changes my direction.

Furthermore, God doesn't want to make me a clone of everybody else in the way that I worship, serve and love him. He wants me to serve him with my personality. Not only that, but he will strengthen my personality, not dampen it. He’s going to make me more than I’ve ever been before.

So today, I will consider my work habits and tendencies. I’ll want to make sure that I’m maintaining the proper balance between work and doing what’s important.

Understanding That I’m God’s Masterpiece

In review of Ephesians 2:10 it says, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Bottom Line:

God made us and has given us a new life through Christ. He did this so that we can do the things he created us to do.

What this means to me:

God has made me who I am and has given me a new live when I accepted Christ in my life. He can now use me to do the good things which he has already planned in advance for me to do. The reason I have value is because of what God says about me, not because of what others say.

Our culture refers often to self-esteem and how many lack it. Those in this category may not feel good about themselves. Attempts are made to combat this by trying pump themselves up by the kind of clothes they wear, the kind of car they drive, and the things they say. They’re always trying to pump themselves up to make them feel better about themselves because they really don’t accept themselves. What I’m learning is that this is actually rebellion against God.

If God wanted us to be somebody else, we wouldn't exist. The good news is that He does want me! He made me to be me. So, real self-esteem can be built from three facts:

First, God created me.

Second, Jesus died for me.

Lastly, God’s Spirit lives in me.

Today’s verse reminds me that, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). The New Testament was written originally in Greek and the Greek word for “masterpiece” is “poema.” It’s the word we get “poem” from. God says, “You’re my poem. You’re my masterpiece. I don’t want you copying somebody else.” Thus He has put gifts in me: heart, abilities, personality, and experiences, and He wants me to use them. I have worth because of what God says about me and has done.

I’m not just wanted; I’m needed! The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW).

I’m needed in my church, my community and in this world. If I wasn't needed, God would not have made me. He didn't create me to just sit and soak and sour, rather He brought me here to make a contribution through and with my life. And likewise everybody around me is needed as well.

There are no little people in the family of God. Every part is necessary. As an example of the importance of little things, the most important light in my house is not the big light we use in the dining room. Rather, it’s the little night light that keeps me from stumbling down the stairs in the dark.

Likewise, every role is important. I’m important and I have value because God said so and because he paid such a large ransom for my life when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for me.

Today I’ll consider what role I’m planning in my church, community and the world.  My wife and I are about to make a change to where we live and where I work.  I need to make sure that I can plug in quickly to serve and continue making a difference. Until then, I need to participate and help out as much as I can in order to make a difference.

Additional Steps to Use In Defeating the Giants

In review of 1 Samuel 17:45-46 it says, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

Bottom Line:
David tells the Philistines, you may come against me with weapons, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and then the whole world will know God.

What this means to me:
I may have those who oppose me come against me with all kinds of weapons, but I can hold onto God’s protection. Then when their plans are thwarted, they will come to know the true God.

Today I will continue to look at ways to defeat the giants that keep me from being the person God wants me to be. For this, I can continue to look at the example of David and what he did to defeat the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt in his life.

The first is to remember how God has helped me in the past. David says in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (NLT) When I remember the ways that God has helped me in the past, it gives me confidence for the future.

Next use the tools that God has given me now. David used the tools that God provided that utilized his strengths: “Then Saul gave David his own armor …. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag” (1 Samuel 17:38-40a). Don’t wait for something I don’t have, such as money, education, or connections. Use the tools God has already given me to face my giants with confidence.

Then ignore the dream busters by encouraging myself in the Lord. Later in life, when others were speaking against him, David had to encourage himself in the Lord: “David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 TLB). When I can encourage myself in the Lord, it’s not just a positive mental attitude. There is a bedrock of trust in God’s grace, provision, security, and power I can count on.

Lastly, expect God to help me for his glory. David stormed the battlefield, shouting, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV).

Rick Warren had mentioned making this same decision when he was younger. He says, “On the mountains of Northern California one night, I got down on my knees and said, ‘God, I’m not the smartest guy, the best educated, or the most talented. But I’m going to trust you. And I will do anything, anytime, anywhere in faith, even when it doesn't make sense to me.’ And what an adventure my life has been!” Rick speaks to crowds every week that are five times bigger than the town He grew up in. He’s was a country boy with a slingshot.

The good news is that God will use me if  I will trust in and expect to be used by him. This will happen not because of who I am, but rather for his glory.

In summary, David learned to trust God. God will do what He promises to do. He will help me do what He has asked me to do as well. I can always look back to how God has helped me in the past, to use what he has already given me, to encourage myself in Him and expect God to use me to show his glory.

Learning to Deal with The Giants That Oppose My Dreams

In review of 1 Samuel 17:47 it says, “Everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

Bottom Line:

Everyone assembled here will soon know that the Lord rescues his people and does not depend on weapons to fulfill his plans. The battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.

What this means to me:

I am to remember that God will rescue me. He does not need any weapons in which to do this. The battle will be belong to him and he will provide the victory I need.

In the story of David in 1 Samuel, he actually had to fight four other giants before he got to Goliath. They weren't physical giants, but they were giants in his mind.

In my life, I’m far more likely to face those other giants than I am to face a Goliath. However these giants can but be just as big and intimidating and can keep me from becoming who God wants me to be and fulfilling the dream that God puts in my heart.

The first giant is delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly. God gives me the dream on one day, but he doesn't fulfill it the next day. It may be years before I see the fulfillment of this dream. There will always be a waiting period. In David’s case, his father held him back from the dream. After Samuel anointed David as king, Jesse told David to get back to tending the sheep! When God’s plan contradicts somebody else’s plan, there’s going to be a delay, and others may very well try to hold me back. But I know God is faithful, and he will complete his work in me in his time.

The second giant is discouragement. Goliath created a climate of fear in Israel, and everybody was convinced they were going to lose the battle. Who am I listening to who says it can’t be done? Is there someone or something putting down my dreams, leading me to believe it will never happen? Maybe I would just need a fresh voice, a kid from the village with fresh eyes who says, “This guy’s nothing. We can take him down.”

The third giant is disapproval. In David’s case, his own brother questioned his motives and disapproved of him going after Goliath. When God gives me a dream that other people are afraid of and I go for it anyway, I will be misjudged, maligned, and misunderstood. I will need to decide what matters more, the approval of other people or the approval of God.

The fourth giant is doubt. There was nobody who was a greater expert on war than King Saul, and he told David he was crazy for thinking a boy could fight a warrior like Goliath. Maybe the expert is saying I can’t do it, either, making me doubt myself.

Of the four giants, Delay, discouragement, disapproval and doubt, I believe I impacted most by delay and doubt. Delay often makes me think, it was probably not the right goal. Doubt will then crop in. What I need to realize is that delay is part of God’s training plan. They are likely things I need to learn or experience that will add value and aid in what I’m about to accomplish. Also, I’m my worst critic. I’ll often cast my own discouragement, especially when things are not going well. Ultimately, I must remember that if God gives me the dream, he will help me accomplish it. The battles I face are not mine alone to face. God will take on the battle and provide the victory. He will take out some of the hurdles that seem insurmountable.

Wise Investments For Money

In review of Luke 16:9 it says, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus tells them to use worldly wealth to make friends, so that when their worldly wealth gives out, they will be welcomed into an eternal home.

What this means to me:

I am to use my worldly wealth to benefit others and make friends. Then once these earthly things are gone, I can be welcomed into an eternal home filled with friends.

In summary, the best use of my money will be for things that get people into Heaven.  In Luke 16:9 Jesus says to, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” (NLT).

Jesus is saying that, just like the shrewd manager who made friends he could count on later, I need to use some of my money to make eternal friends that I will have forever in Heaven and who will welcome me when I get there.

So Jesus is not saying that I can purchase my salvation or buy my way into Heaven. This is impossible, because Jesus has already paid that price on the cross. Salvation is a free gift by grace.

Rather, Jesus is telling me to use your money here on earth to build friendships, ones that will go on and on for eternity. When I use my money to help other people meet Jesus, I will make friends for eternity and thus will gain benefits from it.

Ultimately, one day I’m going to die. It would be great to have a hundred people standing at the entrance, clapping and cheering and saying that, “They've been waiting for me! They are here because I spent some money to tell them the Good News. They are my friends for eternity, grateful for my investment. If it hadn't been for the way I used my money, they wouldn't have heard how to get to Heaven.”

So, I need to evaluate how I’m using my money and making sure that I’m using it for that kind of thing.  I should ask myself, will there be anyone in Heaven because of my investment and because of the way I used my money?

In the end, I won’t be able take it with me, however I can send some of it ahead by investing in people who would be going to Heaven.

As I get ready for a change in where I live and establish an updated spending plan, it will be important for me to prioritize some of that spending so that I can have an eternal impact of this nature. Also, I should continue doing what I can to meet with others regardless of where I’m at so that I can invest in eternal friendships.