Friday, September 5, 2008

Worth the Wait

by Kathy Lay

This Weeks’ Verse: Rev. 22:20-21, “The one who is testifying to these things says, ‘Yes, I'm coming soon!’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The good will of the Lord Jesus be with all of you. Amen!” (GW)

Devotion:
Were your parents ever late picking you up from school or some other event when you were young? As the minutes crept by and you watched the other kids get picked up one by one, you began to feel uneasiness sweep over you. As more time passed, you were overtaken by a horrible feeling as you imagined the worst: what if they forgot and are at home waiting for me? Or what if they were in an accident?

But finally as the familiar car approached, you felt the weight lifted from your shoulders as you realized that your caretakers, the ones you relied on for everything, were just fine. You rode home together happily as they reassured you that they'd never forget you, they'd simply taken a little longer than expected.

If you're at a point in your life where you're growing restless watching others being picked up and tended to in the expected timing, take heart, precious Sister. The Lord promises that He will be coming soon, and at just the perfect time. Take your eyes off the others as you watch for His coming—not only for all eternity, but until then—in your life every day.

Close your eyes and envision the One you rely on for everything riding in and taking you on the ride of your life. He will, you know, if you're up for it—both here on earth and in eternity. In His perfect timing. Isn’t that worth the wait?

Father, I confess the sin of my impatience when my prayers aren't answered in my way or in my timing. Help me to wait on You, clinging to Your promise that You are coming soon. I wait in expectation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application:
What are you waiting for? In what areas of your life does it feel like God isn’t doing what He “should” be doing? Resolve to wait, focused on Him, knowing He promises to come soon, at the appointed time.

Power Verses:
Zechariah 14:6
, “What a Day that will be! No more cold nights—in fact, no more nights! The Day is coming—the timing is God's—when it will be continuous day. Every evening will be a fresh morning.” (MSG)
Micah 7:7, “But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me.”(MSG)
Hebrews 12:2, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”(NLT)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder! It is sometimes hard to wait, especially if we have been praying for a long "earthly" time. Of course God has perfect timing if we will just let Him work.Thanks for the encouragement-this one came at a particularly meaningful time! Kim