Friday, May 4, 2012

May 5, 2012

"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." Exodus 14:13

Here is another expectation you can have of God. If He leads you into a difficult situation, He will make a way to bring you out. Moses proves it as do many of the great heroes of faith!

Another giant of faith, Paul, affirmed this truth when he wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." I Corinthians 10:13
If you REALLY know that and if your REALLY believe that, you will be able to do what Moses told God's people to do as they became aware of the gravity of their situation. They were trapped between the viscious Egyptians and the Red Sea. When they felt like fleeing in panic he told them to stand pat and wait on the Lord!
Waiting on anybody or anything goes against the grain for us. This is the microwave, instant access, immediate gratification generation and waiting does not work for us. Yet, if you want God to bring you out of what He's led you into the first thing to do is wait.
While waiting is hard for us, it appears in the Bible some 135 times! So, it must be quite important to the Lord. Here are a few samples:

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psa. 27:14


“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” Psa. 33:20


“but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isa. 40:31

“I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lam. 3:24

“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:21
Most of the time the word for "wait" is closely akin to "hope". Waiting for God is not a passive activity. It is hoping in God while you fellowship with Him and continue steadfastly in prayer. Waiting shows your confidence that God is working in your behalf even if you cannot perceive it yet. Waiting is allowing Him to do a work in you while you await what He will do for you.

Waiting for God demonstrates your faith in Him because faith believes in what it can't yet see.

Waiting for God demonstrates your hope in Him because hope can develop patience.

Waiting for God demonstrates your love for Him because love always waits for the best.

Will you wait for God?