Psalm 25:5 - Waiting on the Lord.
Psalm 25:5 (NRSV) Lead me in your truth, and
teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for
you I wait all day long.
COMMENTARY PEARL
One of my favorite prayer practices is
hiking. Well, I call it hiking, but what it really
is is just walking in nature. After a walk, I
feel much more connected. God's ways seem much
clearer to me.
This is particularly true if the hike is
on uneven and changing terrain. Spending a
morning or an afternoon concentrating on where to
place my feet, one step after another, does
something to my brain. Letting the soles of my feet
find their way securely over rocks, tree roots,
fallen leaves, mud, and moss takes a certain level
of concentration that I just don't use in my
urban daily life. The level of concentration
needed increases as I get older, even as the paths
I choose are less strenuous.
And because what I am concentrating on is
my physical movement through and with God's
creation, I experience a level of peace and clarity
after a hike that seems sacred to me. It is as if
by traveling nature's path, I get to experience
the path's simple truth. Through my footsteps
and my concentration, I have internalized what
the wisdom of nature had to offer in that
particular moment, along that particular trail.
To me, this is what Jesus may have meant
when He said, "I am the Truth, the Light, and the
Way (John 14:6)." I wonder if, in response to
followers desperate for answers, He was suggesting
that the best way to find the truth, the light,
and the way is to walk the paths God offers,
bask in the light God shines, and let the reality
in those experiences become who we are. by
Elizabeth Berne Degear
Faith Step: Trust that there is a
connection between the soles of your feet and your
soul. Spend a few minutes walking on a path
through nature and lose yourself in the activity.
Then notice if your way in the world seems easier
afterward. [Mornings With Jesus 2019 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
When you're facing a decision, whether
big or small, it is important to wait upon God
for His direction and timing. And though it may
sound paradoxical, there are three ways that we
can take an active role in the process while we
wait.
First, we should examine our heart,
asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs. If He
brings something to light, it is important to take
care of that sin immediately - by confessing,
repenting, and doing whatever's needed to correct the
situation. At times we push this task aside because the
impending decision seems like our main concern. Yet we
cannot hear from God or receive His full blessing
until we deal with transgression.
Second, when seeking direction, we should
listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to
give the go-ahead. It can be difficult to wait,
especially when emotions or logic lead us to favor one
choice.
Third, the answer to our prayer at times
requires our involvement. For instance, when people
tell me they're out of work and trusting God to
provide, I always want to know if they are actively
looking for a job. Some are not; they are simply
praying. We have responsibility not only to present
God with requests and seek His guidance but also
to be active in the process. Waiting on God is
not an excuse to be lazy.
Prayer is a beautiful privilege that the
heavenly Father gives to His children. He desires to
lead us into a life of abundance. We should take
an active part in seeking His will and
listening for His voice. As we follow the Holy
Spirit's guidance, we will experience all that the
Lord has for us. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
I am a person of action, and when there
is a problem, I am ready to take action, but
sometimes I make the situation worse because I didn't
wait to get God's plan. Being aggressive has many
benefits, but it can also cause problems if we are
acting independently of God.
I am reminded today of the importance of
maintaining an attitude of waiting on God. I am not
suggesting inactivity but rather the highest form of
spiritual activity, that of trusting God in every area
of life. Wait on Him for supplies, for
strength, healing, wisdom, and opportunity. Wait on
God to reveal Himself to you and to show you His
amazing favor. God is waiting to be good to us, and
He looks for those who are waiting on Him
(Isaiah 30:18).
Waiting on God is mostly an attitude of
the heart. One that is fully aware that God is
everything and we are nothing without Him. We should
pray and refuse to take action without assurance
that God is leading. Go to Him as early as
possible each day, which is the moment you wake up.
He is always near, and you need no special
preparation to begin fellowshipping with Him. Always
remember that God loves you unconditionally and is
with you at all times.
Father God, I desire to form a habit of
waiting on YOU all throughout the day. Help me not
to rush ahead into activities and decisions
without acknowledging You. Thank You for Your
presence. [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
God's Silence
Since we are trapped in this earthbound
cage, this little space where light is often
diffused and God is sometimes silent, how can we be
sensitive to His interventions? What do we do when we,
like Job, struggle in the fog with God's silence,
when we're convinced that His silence means
absence?
Please be assured, He is not absent. He
may be silent, but He's not absent.
The fog on your lake is neither
accidental nor fatal. So while swimming, listen very
carefully and patiently for His voice. Some days you
will be seized with panic and dog-paddle like
mad. You'll try various approaches: breaststroke,
butterfly, backstroke, float. But all the time, you
want to be listening for His voice. I urge you to
listen with great sensitivity, because His message
will come in various ways.
I get nervous around some people and the
way they talk about hearing God or seeing Him at
work. Miracles are everyday occurrences to them.
They see skywriting in the clouds, and they hear
voices in the night. Hear me well, that's not the
kind of "voice" I'm talking about.
God gave you a mind. God gave you reason.
God gave you a unique sensitivity; it's built
into your spiritual system, and each person's
system is tuned differently. God wants to reveal
His will to you and to teach you while you are
waiting. So while you are waiting, don't start
searching for spooky stuff. We walk by faith, not by
sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Get into His Word. Get
on your knees. Accept counsel from those who
are maturing and balanced believers, solidly
biblical in their theology and in their own lives.
And wait.
However, there are tangible things to
connect with. Passages of Scripture that bring
comfort and insight. Messages that enlighten and
enliven. Certain people you respect. Tap into those,
wait, and listen with a sensitive ear. Like
Esther, don't rush into big decisions. And may I be
painfully direct? Don't talk so much! Believers who
are maturing not only respect God's silence,
they model it as well. [Chuck Swindoll
www.insight.org.]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Walk with Me along paths of trust. The
most direct route between point A and point B on
your life journey is the path of unwavering trust
in Me. When your faith falters, you choose a
trail that meanders and takes you well out of your
way. You will get to point B eventually, but you
will have lost precious time and energy. As soon
as you realize you have wandered from your
trust-path, look to Me and whisper, "I trust You,
Jesus." This affirmation will help you get back on
track.
The farther you roam along paths of
unbelief, the harder it is to remember that I am with
you. Anxious thoughts branch off in all
directions, taking you farther and farther from
awareness of My Presence. You need to voice your trust
in Me frequently. This simple act of faith will
keep you walking along straight paths with Me.
Trust in Me with all your heart, and I will make
your paths straight. (Isaiah 26:4; Psalm 9:10;
Psalm 25:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 27:14 - Waiting On The Lord:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190915-1300.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
