August 23, 2013 … Waiting On God Is Work

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 235

Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  and take in this powerful song, sung by three great Christian singers, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle, singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding us that waiting on God is an active – very active – following process.

Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 37: 23 [with verses 23-24] [NLT]: …  
23 The steps of the Godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
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Reference Passage #1: Joshua 1: 8 [Having a command of God’s word is at the heart of waiting on God.] … [NLT] …
8 Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.

Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Waiting on God is a trusting and seeking process.] … [NLT] …  
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

Reference Passage #3: Philippians 4: 6-7 [Seeking God’s peace in prayer is essential in finding God’s will and His way.] … [NLT] …  
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Reference Passage #4: 2nd Corinthians 13: 1 [Getting Godly counsel helps to confirm where God is leading us.] … [NLT] …  
18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.

My Journal for Today: Waiting on God is never a passive process. When we have a task to accomplish or need direction from God, waiting on God is ALWAYS great wisdom. However, that process is not a “sit back and wait” kind of deal; is it? No, … It involves a following of The LORD and a lot of work!

And this morning’s song, to which I link you above, points to the following process. And the first thing we must do in waiting on the Lord is to do all we can to be following Christ; and this involves searching and seeking God’s will and His way from His word.

Do you remember what Joshua had to do after Moses died; and God laid out the task for Joshua to take God’s people into the Promised Land? And In Joshua 1: 1-9 God encouraged Joshua; but the Lord also gave him God’s prescription for success, which was to be in God’s word – day and night - and actively pursuing His way through His word. And my friend, that takes work.

Next waiting on God takes trust. And as you read a passage I refer to often in my devotionals, Proverbs 3: 5-6, we see that we must avoid selfishly doing life our own way; and we must seek God’s will and His way. And quite often – well, mostly – that takes work!

And then in waiting on God, we must avoid anxiety and worry; and in Philippians 4: 6-7 God, through Paul, gives His prescription for anxiety; and that, of course, is prayer; and when we’re praying we should be taking whatever leanings we have in our mind/heart to God for His confirmation. And according to the Phil. 4 truth, when we humbly bring a leaning to God which is solidly in His will, He will give us His peace, … taking away all our worry and give us His way to proceed. And all of this takes work!

Finally, waiting on God involves getting confirmation from counsel; and Paul also advised us (see 2nd Cor. 13: 1 above) that we’d never lead an army into battle without getting solid, God affirming, counsel. Therefore, as one is waiting on God’s will, for His way, it is wise to seek out advice from other Godly, trustworthy CHRISTIAN counselors. And you guessed it, that is work!

So, we see that waiting on God’s will and seeking His way is a VERY ACTIVE process and will never involve just sitting back and doing nothing. Therefore, … when we seek the Lord’s will and His way from His word, praying and getting counsel from other Christians, we may get worn out waiting for God.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I seek Your way today; and I know that it’s going to be God’s work in the process. … Amen