Patience The Time Is Not Right - Wait

From Rev Dr Tom Nibbe

Brothers and Sisters, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!  Amen!

Bible Verses
Romans 8:28 (NIV) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  

Wait.  If the time is not right - if the way is not clear - if the answer or decision is not consistent.  Wait.

I'd like to quote from Acts 4:32 (NIV) "All the believers were one in heart and mind." 

It may sound wholly unrealistic, but the notion I get from this verse is that guidance of the Holy Spirit becomes clear when 100% of God's people agree in making decisions. I would like to entertain the notion that this a standard worthy of consideration for the Christian Church in the 21st century. If you choose to disagree, I do understand.  The message for today has nothing directly to do with whether or not we remain shut down.

Photo by Lukas Hartmann from Pexels

Message
We feel a sense of urgency.  We may want to resolve the issue by doing something - anything now, but that action is not in our best interest - or those we want to help or serve.

Living with confusion or unresolved problems creates difficulties for us.  It is easier to resolve things.  But making a decision too soon - doing something before it's time - means that we may have to go back and redo it.  We're in the midst of this kind of situation as we deal with the pandemic.

If the time is not right, wait.  If the way is not clear, do not plunge forward.  If the answer or decision feels muddy, wait.

In the new way of life that we have with the Lord Jesus, we have a guiding force. We do not have to move too soon or move out of harmony.  Waiting is an action - a positive, forceful action.  Often, waiting is a God-led action, one with as much power as a decision, and more powerful than an urgent, ill-timed decision.

We do not have to pressure ourselves by insisting that we do or know something before it's time. When it is time, we will know. The Holy Spirit will give us definite word.  We will move into that time naturally - with supernatural insight. We will move harmoniously. We will have inner peace about our decision and we will have consistency.  We will feel empowered in a way we do not feel today.

Let the Lord guide.  Let the Lord lead.  Let the Lord bring clarity.

Deal with the panic. Deal with the urgency. Deal with the fear within. Do not let them control or dictate the decisions of your life.

Waiting is not easy. It isn't fun, at least not for me, not for you.  Waiting is often necessary to get what we want and what we need. 

It is not dead-time. It is not downtime. The answer will come. The right power to action just precisely on time will come.  Yes, the time will come...and it will be right.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, guided by your Holy Spirit, I will wait if waiting is the action I need in order to take care of others and myself. I will know that I am taking a positive, forceful action by waiting until the time is right.  I know you will speak to me at just the right time if I wait.

Jesus, help me to let go of my fear, my urgency, and panic. Help me to learn the art of waiting until the time is right.  Help me to learn timing with your economy of time.  Amen.

Blessing
God bless us all as we courageously and confidently take on the day.  Confidently I say that the Lord has a special place in His heart for those who wait on Him.

Cordially, Pastor Tom