God’s ways are different from ours, as we are reminded in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” We are not privileged to God’s reasoning nor should we be as His created beings. But God responds to our prayers for understanding.
God was silent for 400 years as the world was readied for the arrival of the Savior. As Pastor Alex reminded us, many things came together so that the world was ready to communicate the message of the savior. There was for the first time a common language for writing and speaking. There were roads throughout the known world that allowed people to travel via land and sea to faraway places. It seemed like God was silent but he was working. This year I studied Daniel and there was an incident that this silence from God brought to my mind. Daniel 10:11-13 shows a scene in which the angel Gabriel comes to Daniel with answers and tells him why he was delayed. “ And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.” Gabriel said they heard Daniel when he first prayed but he was delayed in coming because of conflicts he had to attend to. This showed me that when we pray we are heard, but the time and circumstances may not be right for our answer. We are always heard, like Daniel, but God’s message is sometimes delayed causing us to WAIT! In all ways we can be assured that when God answers it will be decisive and that the right time in the right way!
What happens when you wait?
Often we become discouraged or disillusioned and turn away from God. I know when I was waiting and praying for a child, the waiting seemed unending, and I was discouraged and disillusioned at times. I did not turn away from God, but continued to pray and trust Him for the right child for our family. My wait was rewarded with the arrival of my Elizabeth on December 1, and I praised God that He gave me the patience to wait for her. For what have you been waiting that you need to turn over to God? Trust that His timing and solutions are perfect. Waiting hones our lives and prepares us for what God has planned.
Where is your hope anchored?
Where is your hope anchored?
The Israelites had their hope place in Messiah. They had many prophesies describing this Messiah to come. Isaiah 9:6-7 gives us a picture of this glorious savior to come.
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Their hope for a savior, Messiah, to come was anchored in the faithfulness of their God. They knew Him to be faithful, true and trustworthy, as He had fulfilled the promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the generations that followed. They knew in His time He would bring Messiah.
What is your hope anchored in?
What is your hope anchored in?
Do you have a faith rooted and grounded in the love of God and the redemption He promises in Christ? Romans 6:23 promises eternal life through faith in Christ “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Peter refers to our living hope in Christ in 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Our hope is anchored in Christ and a God who keeps all His promises.
2 Corinthians 1:20 confirms this “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
I pray you know the anchor of our faith, Jesus. May you walk with Him today trusting Him to hold you firmly in His hand. This promise from Isaiah 49:16 gives me great hope and assurance “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
I pray you know the anchor of our faith, Jesus. May you walk with Him today trusting Him to hold you firmly in His hand. This promise from Isaiah 49:16 gives me great hope and assurance “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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