Daily Devotional: Tuesday, Feb 9
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Patience & Kindness
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong United; Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Your Name by Paul Baloche; Let Us Adore by Hillsong.
Read: Habakkuk 1:2 and 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 8:28
Think: Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now and action yesterday. Postponements drive me crazy! So when I'm sure God needs to intervene in a situation I'm often baffled by His delay. I'm left wondering why just like the prophet Habakkuk was who said: "How long, O Lord?" (Habakkuk 1:2) Have you asked that question yourself lately? Maybe
- How long O Lord do I have to withstand this miserable situation?
- How long O Lord do I have to wait for my spouse to open his/her heart to You?
- How long O Lord do I have to wait to see justice served?
The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers and action as well, but God in His infinite wisdom chose to take His time. And isn't Habakkuk's response interesting? "I will stand at my guardpost . . . to see what the Lord says and how he will answer" (Habakkuk 2:1). And God did indeed respond: "Wait patiently; for it will surely take place" (v.3).
What God wants from us is simple patience - which shouldn't be so hard knowing that He sees all things, knows all things and works for our good in all things. Sometimes we have to relax and wait and trust that despite appearances, all is well because God, our loving Father is at the helm and His timing is ALWAYS perfect.
When things seem at a standstill or we are forced to wait, let's use the time as our chance to pray and watch - just as our friend Habakkuk did! Rather than grow anxious, impatient, or just plain annoyed, look with eyes that see beyond the situation at hand to what God might be trying to develop in us as we wait... Patiently!
Do: In whatever situation you are looking for God to intervene and it just isn't happening, choose to be patient. Trust Him and allow Him to use the delay to develop your character as you wait on Him.
Pray: Lord, you are never slow in keeping your promises and your timing is always right. You see well beyond the current circumstance and trouble and I trust you to take the action needed at the right time and in the right way. Teach me to be patient as I wait on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
