The Real Power of Patience...

Today I am going to let you in on one of MY verses! You know what that means don't you? That doesn't mean that I wrote them or that they have been specifically assigned to me but only that they are verses that God has and is using in my life during some very hard times. Now I know that some of you (mostly deacons, ha) believe that us pastors only work 1 hour a week, so how could we ever have a problem!!! I will let God work on you guys, let it suffice to say that we pastors are human and have our own share of "stuff" that we too must bear. It is in these times that I have done some of the best "growing" in Christ.

Here is a verse that I would like to examine today....

I waited patiently for the LORD.....Psalm 40:1a

That is it, you cry???!!!! Well, not all of it but only a small portion of what I had memorized during an extended season of testing...(which I am still in, PTL). But for the sake of "bloggin" I must work at keeping it short.....my apologies to those who are gravitationally challenged! Let's examine this short verse for today's treasure.

"I waited"...... MMMMMM. Houston we have a problem. We already are not liking how this is starting off. Most of us do not like to wait. In fact in our gotta have it now culture we can become downright rude when we are delayed. Play a little experiment with me, try driving the speed limit both in town and on the highway. Now remember the speed limit signs are showing us what the UPPER limit is. If it says 55mph it means the maximum limit before breaking the law is 55mph. You may be surprised how many do not realize this nor practice this. You will be pushed and prodded by many of our fellow Americans to speed up. We can't wait! Gotta Go! Hurry up!!!

You see the Psalmist first set his own perimeters by saying "I waited." He had chosen to wait. To be still, to slow down, to position himself in the seat of stillness before HIS God. WOW. Have you done that lately? Or are you struggling in the stress of the streets? It is good for us to wait!

The Psalmist calls us to wait and then he adds to it! Notice the next word in our verse..... PATIENTLY. He didn't just wait but he waited patiently. HE had purposed in his HEART to control his attitude and actions as he waited. You see, it is one thing to just wait but an even greater thing to wait patiently. Have you ever waited in disgust? Waited in anger? Waited in frustration? I think most of us have at one time or other. But he calls us to wait in still submission before our God. We must surrender our situation to the will, the plans and purposes of HIM who see's far beyond our present struggles to the end results. Our patience in our present situation will reveal this. Are you waiting patiently? Willfully surrendered to God's plan and purpose for you?

How, you may ask, can I do this? It is simple, get your mind off of your circumstances and look to HIM and for HIM. "FOR THE LORD" Bring your heavy burden, your uncertainty, your fears, your frustrations to your loving Father. HE will take care of you. Once you KNOW this, HE will give you the peace you seek. (it is an issue of the heart) We must understand that HE can and will do what is best for us even when we do not understand. Trust in HIS love for you, HIS provision for you via Christ and the Holy Spirit and HIS promise to you! You see my friend the Psalmist has let us in on the wonder of God, Himself! HE is AWESOME!

We can wait patiently before Him because HE is our answer. Why worry, why rush, why stress when we have the promise of Eph 3:20...Now to HIM who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,...There is power in waiting. You'll never know it till you learn to do it.......Until then all I can say is "Be still my soul."

Blessings
Bruce