Anticipated blessing

Charles Stanley continues Chapter 3 of Waiting on God as he concludes his discussion of Abraham’s responses to God’s promises.

2.  The temptation to speed the plan along.  Especially when the anticipated blessing is important to us, time has a way of wearing on even the strongest faith.  The temptation to take matters into our own hands becomes great.  Our focus is on the obstacles instead of the Lord’s ability to overcome them.  Like Abraham and Sarah, every time we get ahead of God or try to wrestle control from His hands, we make a mess.  Nothing good ever will come of it.

3.  The test to prove what really rules your heart.  Dr. Stanley notes that twenty-five years elapsed between the time Abraham received God’s promise and its fulfillment.  Certainly Isaac was very precious to Abraham and Sarah.  Yet the Lord tested Abraham by telling Him to sacrifice Isaac.

Dr. Stanley states that the Hebrew word for “tested is nasah, meaning “to try, assay, or prove.”  The word often is used when referring to examining the quality of weapons.  Here God demonstrated the quality of Abraham’s faith and what truly ruled his heart.  God already knew everything that was in Abraham.  Abraham need to make the choice, in the process recognizing that God indeed came first.

Submitting to God’s command wasn’t easy for this man of faith.  It certainly was downright agonizing.  While we aren’t privy to Abraham’s thoughts, we do know what he did.  He obeyed anyway.

Today’s question: What promises of God have strengthened your faith following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Strongholds in our lives”

 

 

Anticipated blessing

Directed toward God

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:30

Charles Stanley begins Chapter 2 (“Assured in God’s Character: The Wisdom of Directing Your Focus to Him”) of Waiting on God by asking this question: “Do you know who it is you are waiting for?”  Dr. Stanley notes that our natural tendency is to focus on the object of our desire rather than God- the Provider.  But the bottom line is, no matter what we petition God for, God is the One we’re really waiting for.

That’s why Dr. Stanley’s first characteristic of godly prayer in waiting- being directed toward God- is of paramount importance.  While it may appear difficult for us to shift our thoughts to God, Dr. Stanley states “without a shadow of a doubt that with the help and power of the Holy Spirit and some godly principles to live by, [we] can do it.”  God may not provide according to our expectations, but Psalm 91:10 reminds us that God never will forsake the person who seeks Him.

We have no reason to fear because God is unaffected by obstacles that limit and intimidate us.  It is the Holy Spirit who prompts us to remember God’s promises and faithfulness.  The Holy Spirit gives us the capacity to remain faithful during times of waiting.

Today’s question: What Bible verses have helped you deal with your fears following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog”: “Refining your faith”

Directed toward God