Is you life on hold? Do you sometimes feel like an airplane that cannot land? For whatever reason – weather, traffic congestion, or – an unforeseen emergency, the plane circles and circles.
Do you find yourself traveling in circles, waiting to land?
Something Beth Moore said in one of her lessons caught my attention. I wrote it down in my notes and I haven’t forgotten what she said.
I am paraphrasing: When God says “no” it is because there is a greater “yes.”
Are you willing to wait for the greater “yes?” It is that greater “yes” plus His Word that gives me hope and strength to wait.
So I open the Bible and begin to read and while I wait I learn, grow more confident, and rest while I trust God to work.
While reading I weave my own thoughts into scripture that “speaks” to me. Slowly I build my spiritual strength:
From Psalm 119: 105-112
(Bible verses are in italics. My thoughts are in regular font.)
Because
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
I will confidently turn to the Bible for comfort, direction, and refuge.
106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.
So, while I wait I make every attempt to concentrate on obeying You, God, and Your commands.
107 I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised.
It is HARD to trust you and believe that everything is in Your hands, that Your plans for me are to perfect me and not meant for evil. BUT because of Your “righteous regulations” I will obey and trust that each time trial is for my good.
(I also take time while I wait to talk with God.)
108 Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.
(I have learned to praise God in the midst of the waiting. I may not feel like praising anyone, but God lives in the midst of our praises and if I praise Him, His presence comforts me. It is a divine design that I find to be miraculous. If your life is on hold and you find yourself saying like the psalmist,
109 “My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. 110 The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.
Don’t be tempted to fret, panic, worry, manipulate your circumstances, but believe…
111 Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.
Lord,
112 “I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.”
Help me.
Waiting time is not wasted time. Determine to keep God’s decrees to the very end and be blessed above and beyond anything you could have ever dreamed or imagined.
“I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.” Psalm 119:166-168 (NIV)
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10 comments:
Thanks for sharing scriptures on this subject! I like when you said, "Waiting time is not wasted time. Determine to keep God’s decrees to the very end and be blessed above and beyond anything you could have ever dreamed or imagined." So many times I have looked at waiting time as wasted time. I will work on looking at things differently.
Hi Van,
You have spoken to my condition with this! I feel "on hold" and useless. What to do next perplexes me and I'm tempted to give up and manipulate circumstances.
Thanks for your insights.
John Cowart
Me, too. I like "Waiting time is not wasted time." Until recently, I thought waiting was wasting time. I lost so many opportunities because instead of preparing myself as you have suggested, I spent my time groaning and mumbling about the wait. Never again, will I look at the life the same since He called me back to HImself.
I love this, Van! This is a great journaling idea...Ongoing conversation with God?
Hope you are doing well. Life seems to have accelerated her in WV. Miss long visits over here, but seasons come and go and time will be more abundant soon!
Love to you,
laura
I so appreciated your P31 devotional today. My family and I are walking a difficult journey right now, and just yesterday we sat in the family lounge area in the hospital trying to encourage one another with this very truth - that God WILL NOT give us more than we can handle. Wishing often times that my 'breaking point' wasn't so deep and strong...thinking I would have liked it to be much less so we wouldn't have to face so much :o)
As we endure this trial I pray the Lord, who began a good work, will complete it...soon...
Going from strength to strength,
Joy
When we are waiting on The Father to move, or move us... No the waiting time is not wasted time, it's learning, growing time.
Time He needs to get us or the situation to the place that is best for us.
GREAT devotional for P31 today, Van. You did a good job of pointing us to the one who has the hands that not only allow the pain but accomplish the healing. And He does it all because He loves us. Well written, well done.
sometimes it is so hard to wait though...especially when you feel like you have no idea where you are going. thanks for the insight.
Hi Van,
Enjoyed your P31 devo today, Van. LOVED the analogy between your husband fixing that rocking chair and God knowing how much pressure we can handle.
Have a wonderful week!
Thank You for the devotion today, I am "smiling at my future" knowing He is in control of it all!
Blessings and love to you today! Knowing you will be blessed for being His beautiful obedient daughter...and cause He loves to bless you!