Category: Wait

Rejoice in God to Rise Above Trouble (Insights in Prophets)

4/23/2013

God does unbelievable and amazing things to accomplish His purpose even when He seems uninvolved and silent while the wicked are destroying the righteous. Wait for truth and God's glory to live by faith rather than in pride, greed and idolatry. Pray and rejoice in God who delivers His people so they have strength to rise above trouble.

Why Does God Seem Uninvolved During Injustice?
Habakkuk asked how long he was to call for help but God did not listen? He looked at injustice but God tolerated wrong, strife and conflict. The law was paralyzed and justice never prevailed. The wicked hemmed in the righteous so justice was perverted (Hab. 1:1-4). Why does God seem uninvolved during strife and injustice?

Know God Does Unbelievable Things to Accomplish His Purpose
God said to watch the nations and be utterly amazed because He was going to do something unbelievable. He raised up the ruthless Babylonians, a law to themselves who promoted their own honor, to seize houses not their own. Their hordes advanced like a desert wind, gathered prisoners like sand, scoffed at rulers, laughed at fortified cities and captured them. Their own strength was their god (Hab. 1:5-11). Know God does amazing and unbelievable things even using ungodly people to accomplish His purpose,

Why was Holy God Silent When Wicked Destroyed the Righteous?
If God was too pure to look on evil, why did He tolerate the treacherous or was silent when the wicked swallowed the righteous? Were they to continue destroying nations without mercy? Habakkuk was to stand at his watch and look to see what He would say and what answer he was to give to this complaint (Hab. 1:12-2:1). Why was a holy God silent when the wicked destroyed the righteous?

Wait for Truth to Live By Faith, Not Pride and Greed
God said to write down the revelation on tablets so a herald would run with it since it awaited an appointed time. Wait for the truth since it would come and not delay. He was puffed up with unrighteous desires but the righteous lived by his faith. His greed made him take nations captive. They woke up and he became their victim (Hab. 2:2-8). Wait for the truth to live by faith, not pride and greed.

Wait for God's Glory To Cover the Earth Instead of Settling for Idolatry
Habakkuk said woe to those who build his realm by plotting the ruin of many people through unjust gain, which shamed their own house. Woe to those who build a city with bloodshed and established a town by crime. God determined that the people's labor was fuel for the fire that exhausted themselves for nothing. The earth was filled with the knowledge of God's glory as the waters cover the sea. Woe to him who gave drink to neighbors till they were drunk so he could gaze on their naked bodies resulting in shame and disgrace. Violence by shedding man's blood overwhelmed them. Because an idol or image taught lies, it could not impart life or guidance. Let the earth be silent before the Lord in His holy temple (Hab. 2:9-20). Wait for God's glory to cover the earth instead of settling for injustice, futile labor and idolatry.

Pray God Makes Himself Known in Delivering His People
Habakkuk stood in awe of God's deeds. He prayed they be renewed and made known in his day. God's glory covered the heavens and His praise filled the earth. Nations trembled in distress and anguish when the mountains crumbled and hills collapsed since His ways were eternal. In wrath, God threshed the nations and crushed the leader of wickedness to deliver and save His people (Hab. 3:1-15). Pray God makes Himself known in defeating wickedness and delivering His people.

Rejoice in God to Have Strength to Rise Above Trouble
Habakkuk waited patiently for the day of calamity to come upon the nation invading them. Though the fig tree did not bud, no grapes on the vine, olive crop failed, fields produced no food, no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, he still rejoiced in God His Savior. The Sovereign Lord was his strength to make his feet like the deer to go on the heights (Hab. 3:16-19). Rejoice in God to have strength to rise above trouble.

Wait for God to do amazing and unbelievable things when the wickedness seems to rule. Wait for truth and God's glory so you can live by faith rather than in pride, greed and idolatry. Pray and rejoice in God who provides strength to rise above trouble.

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Preparation for Intercessory Prayer (Insights in Prophets)

11/4/2012

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"Listen, my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness" (Ole Kristian O. Hallesby).

Helplessness causes you to wait on God without fear. Waiting on God prepares you to receive the counsel of godly people so your works become fruitful as you trust the Holy Spirit to open blind eyes, free captives and release those in darkness. Proclaim God's praise and follow His leadership along unfamiliar paths to turn the darkness of blindness and deafness into light. Become God's witness so the world understands that He is Lord and Savior as you follow His pathway through mighty waters and in the desert since He provides all your needs. Now you are prepared to call upon God passionately and purposefully in intercessory prayer because He blots and remembers your sin no more.

Wait On God
In silence, nations renewed their strength as God called them to service in righteousness. God turned kings into dust as craftsmen continued making idols. He chose His friend, Israel, descendant of Abraham, to be His servant from the ends of the earth. God strengthened and upheld His people so they would not fear or be dismayed. Those who opposed them became ashamed, disgraced and died. The Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, helped them become a new and sharp threshing sledge with many teeth to crush the mountains into chaff. They rejoiced and gloried in God (Is. 41:1-16). Wait on God without fear as His tool to defeat spiritual forces of wickedness.

Listen to Godly People
The poor and needy searched for water, but their tongues were parched with thirst. God did not forsake them. He brought rivers within valleys, turned parched ground into springs and put cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive and pines in the wasteland so people understood that God did it. He asked those who trusted in idols to predict the future. In reality, their works were utterly worthless and detestable. God called someone who treaded on rulers and gave a messenger of good news to Jerusalem. Instead, they trusted in false counsel and their deeds amounted to confusion and nothingness (Is. 41:17-29). Listen to godly people so your works become fruitful.

Trust the Holy Spirit
God chose, delighted and put His Spirit in His servant so justice came to the nations. He did not cry out in the streets. A bruised reed He would not break and smoldering wick He would not snuff out. He established justice on earth so that people put their hope in His law. The Creator God who gave life to everyone called His people in righteousness to be a covenant and light for the Gentiles. They opened blind eyes, freed captives from prison and released those sitting in darkness (Is. 42:1-7). Trust the Holy Spirit to open blind eyes, free captives and release those in darkness.

Proclaim God's Praise
God did not give His glory to idols. He predicted new things before they came into being. Sing to the Lord a new song and proclaim His praise everywhere since He marched like a warrior in triumph over His enemies. His servant, Jesus, cried out and turned rivers into islands, dried up pools, led the blind by unknown ways, guided them along unfamiliar paths, turned darkness into light and made the rough places smooth. He did these things without forsaking them. Those who trusted in idols turned into utter shame (Is. 42:8-17). Proclaim God's praise everywhere and follow His leadership along unfamiliar paths to turn darkness into light.

Obey God's Law
God's servants and messengers were blind and deaf even though He made his law great and glorious. His people were plundered, trapped in pits and hidden in prisons with no rescuer. Because of sin and not following His ways or obeying His law, God poured out His burning anger through the violence of war (Is. 42:18-25). Obey God's law to remove blindness and deafness.

Become God's Witness
Do not fear because God created, redeemed and called Israel by name. The Savior protected them from floods and fire so they would not drown or be burned. He gave Egypt, Cush and Seba as their ransom since they were precious, honored and loved in God's sight. He gave people in exchange for their lives. God gathered His sons and daughters from the ends of the earth. He led those with blind eyes and deaf ears to be His true witnesses and chosen servants before the nations so they would understand that God was Lord and Savior. No one reversed His works (Is. 43:1-13). Become God's witness so the world understands that He is Lord and Savior.

Follow God's Pathway
The Redeemer, Holy One, Israel's Creator and King brought all the Babylonians in ships as fugitives for the sake of God's people. He made a path through mighty waters and snuffed out chariots, horses, army and reinforcements like a wick. Forget former things from the past because God did a new thing. He made a way in the desert and provided water there so that wild animals honored Him and His chosen people could drink. God desired that people He formed for Himself would proclaim His praise (Is. 43:14-21). Follow God's pathway through mighty waters and in the desert since He provides all your needs.

Call Upon God Passionately
Instead of calling upon God, His people became weary of Him. Instead of bringing sheep for burnt offerings and seeking God with a whole heart, they burdened Him with their sins and wearied Him with their offenses. He blotted out their transgressions for His sake and remembered their sins no more. Their first father, Adam, sinned and their spokesmen rebelled against God. He disgraced the temple dignitaries, destroyed Jacob and scorned Israel (Is. 43:22-28). Call upon God passionately and purposefully because He blots and remembers your sin no more.

How does the preparation for intercessory prayer in Is. 41-43 help you call upon God passionately and purposefully?

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How to Wait Upon God for Eternal Reward (Insights in Prophets)

10/29/2012

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"Waiting for God means power to do nothing save under command. This is not lack of power to do anything. Waiting for God needs strength rather than weakness. It is power to do nothing. It is the strength that holds strength in check. It is the strength that prevents the blundering activity which is entirely false and will make true activity impossible when the definite command comes" (G. Campbell Morgan).

It is much easier to act than wait on God. Isaiah 37-40 explains how to wait upon God for strength and eternal reward to accomplish His purpose.

Ask for Counsel
King Hezekiah put on sackcloth and his aides told Isaiah that this day of distress and disgrace was like children coming to the point of birth with no strength to deliver them. They asked Isaiah to pray for the surviving remnant with the Lord possibly rebuking Assyria's ridicule of the living God. Isaiah told Hezekiah's aides not to fear their blasphemies since the Lord would put a spirit in Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, causing him to return and die by the sword in his own country. Sennacherib said that Hezekiah's god deceived him about Jerusalem not being handed over to Assyria since they destroyed many countries without their gods delivering them (Is. 37:1-13). Ask godly people for counsel and prayer when the world, flesh and devil oppose God's will.

Pray Fervently
Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and begged the Almighty and Creator Lord to hear, open His eyes and listen to Sennacherib's insults of the living God. Hezekiah reminded Him that the Assyrian kings destroyed many nations whose gods were fashioned by humans hands. He asked for deliverance so everyone would know that God alone was Lord. Isaiah said that because Hezekiah prayed, God spoke against Sennacherib's insults and his pride over many chariots and drying up all of Egypt's streams. God planned for him to turn fortified cities into piles of stone, shame His people and rage against Him. Hezekiah received the sign of fruit from vineyards in the third year to represent the remnant of the house of Judah, which took root below and bore fruit above because of God's power. The Lord said Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem because God defended and saved it for His sake. When the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, Sennacherib returned to Nineveh. While worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons killed him (Is. 37:14-38). Pray fervently for deliverance from evil forces that bears abundant fruit so everyone knows that God is Lord.

Journal Answered Prayer
After God listened to Hezekiah's prayer derived from his wholehearted devotion to Him, He added 15 years to his life, delivered him and defended Jerusalem from the king of Assyria. As a sign of God's promise to Hezekiah, God made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz. After his illness and recovery, he asked if he must go through the gates of death and not see the Lord in the land of the living. Hezekiah waited patiently till dawn as God broke all his bones. In anguish of soul, he asked God to come to his aid as He restored him to health. His love kept Hezekiah from the pit of destruction and put his sins behind God's back. He praised Him and told his children about God's faithfulness. Isaiah said to prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil so Hezekiah would recover (Is. 38:1-22). Journal when God answers prayer in unmistakable ways to remind your children and others about God's love, power and faithfulness.

Do Not Store Earthly Treasures
Envoys from Babylon visited Hezekiah when they heard about his illness and recovery. He showed them silver, gold, spices, fine oil and everything among his treasures. Isaiah told Hezekiah that everything would be carried off to Babylon. Some of his descendants would be taken away as eunuchs in the palace of the Babylon king. Hezekiah said God's word was good since he would have peace and security during his lifetime (Is. 39:1-8). Do not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.

Store Heavenly Treasures
Comfort and speak tenderly to God's people about the completion of her hard service with her sin paid for. Prepare the way as a highway for God in the wilderness so the rugged places became a plain and His glory revealed to all mankind. A voiced said all men were like grass and their glory like the flowers of the field. Only the word of God stands forever (Is. 40:1-8). Store up treasures in heaven like people and the word of God.

Glorify God's Power and Greatness
Isaiah told Judah that the Sovereign Lord came with power, His arm ruled and His reward was with Him. He tended His flock like a shepherd, carried them close to His heart and gently led those with young. God measured the waters and marked off the heavens in the hollow of His hand. He held the earth's dust in a basket and weighed the mountains on a scale. No one understood the Spirit of the Lord or instructed Him as His counselor. No one taught God knowledge, understanding or the right way. Nations were like a drop in a bucket and regarded as dust on the scales, worthless and nothing. One cannot compare God to a hand-made idol since He sat enthroned above people who were like grasshoppers. He stretched out the heavens like a canopy, reduced rulers to nothing and made judges meaningless so they withered away like chaff. God created the heavens and called each star by name because of His great power so none was missing (Is. 40:9-26). Glorify God's power, greatness and ability to shepherd so you don't trust in people.

Wait on God
An eternal and Creator God would not grow tired. No one could understand Him. He gave strength to the weary and increased the power of the weak. Even as youths grew tired and young men stumbled badly, those who hoped in God renewed their strength as they soared like eagles. They ran and walked without becoming weary and faint (Is. 40:27-31). Wait on God for renewed strength to accomplish His purpose.

How to wait upon God for strength and eternal reward to accomplish His purpose:
1. Ask godly people for counsel and prayer when the world, flesh and devil oppose God's will
2. Pray fervently for deliverance from evil forces that bears abundant fruit so everyone knows that God is Lord
3. Journal when God answers prayer in unmistakable ways to remind your children and others about God's love, power and faithfulness
4. Do not store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal
5. Store up treasures in heaven like people and the word of God
6. Glorify God's power, greatness and ability to shepherd so you don't trust in people

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Wait on God's Goodness (insight in Psalms)

9/25/2010

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I remember a work setting where I felt insecure and fearful. Nothing seemed to go right. A sense of dread like walking on "egg shells" was my constant companion. Harm could overtake me at any moment so kept my guard up continuously. My boss used constant intimidations and put downs to keep me off balance. Have you been in a similar spot where the avalanche of life threatened to bury you?

Psalm 26 shows the process of how the Word of God produces intimacy with Him and sense of awe to counteract drudgery and deadness in our life. The light and enlightenment from God leads to salvation and deliverance in fearful circumstances. As He becomes our refuge, we become victorious and confident (Ps. 27:1-3).

In theory, this sounds like a great way to live, but how do we position ourselves so we live victorious instead of defeated and confidently instead of anxious?

To accomplish anything in life, you need focus. David's focus in this Psalm is one thing: he would live in God's presence continually while delighting and inquiring of God (Ps. 27:4).

Practicing the presence of God allows you to experience the goodness of God in the following ways:
1. Hide from trouble (Ps. 27:5)
2. Protected from enemies (Ps. 27:6a)
3. Offer thanksgivings, praises and intercessions to Him (Ps. 27:6b-7)
4. Experience transparency and friendship with Him (Ps. 27:8)
5. Unconditional acceptance (Ps. 27:9-10)
6. Understanding and guidance in God's ways (Ps. 27:11)
7. Deliverance from lies and oppression (Ps. 27:12)

Ps. 27:13-14 explains how to practice the presence of God.
1. Believe that God is good all the time. The seven items listed above prove how good God is.
2. Because of God's goodness, attach yourself to God by patiently waiting upon Him, literally "to bind together by twisting." Your total identity is wrapped up in God's.

Meditate on the seven ways that prove God's goodness. Begin practicing the presence of God so you can experience His goodness all the time.

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Rejoice in God to Rise Above Trouble (Insights in Prophets)

Preparation for Intercessory Prayer (Insights in Prophets)

How to Wait Upon God for Eternal Reward (Insights in Prophets)

Wait on God's Goodness (insight in Psalms)

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