God Moments & The Patient Process...

Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Susie Larson here!

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog.  So leave a post, share an insight or story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and friend! 

Now on to my topic...

This morning during my prayer time, this little passage jumped out at me: When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped (Exodus 4:31).

Guess who that verse is talking about? I'm sure the reference from Exodus gives it away. In Exodus four we read about the time when God called the self-aware and unqualified Moses to do a mighty impossible task: to appear before the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom. And when the Israelites heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The bummer part of that story is that it didn't take long for the Israelites to accuse, take up an offense, stomp their feet, shake their fists, and betray the one who stuck his neck out for them.

Truly though, when they heard of God's concern for them, it was a God-moment, sacred enough to bring them to their knees.

We must never discount those God moments when He speaks to us, makes promises to us, and gives us His divine assurance that He'll be with us no matter what. Because the thing is, those God moments often precede a battle where everything God has promised is threatened or seems up for grabs.

Every time God makes a promise, the devil makes a plan. And when the enemy presses in, we can be tempted to grab for ourselves, gripe at God, and grind our gears in our own strength.

As I've said many times before, Lord, help us to remember in the darkness what You told us in the light! 

It takes time to lay hold of the things God has promised us, not because God needs time, but because we do. He is fully committed to the idea of giving us a free will to make our own choices. He moves at our pace because He loves us and wants to keep us moving True North - in the direction of His ultimate plan for our lives. 

We must be patient in the process. Far too often, it's God who is waiting on us! The Israelites took 40 years to complete a trek that should have only taken a couple of weeks or so. Even so, God makes all things beautiful in their time. 

On the other hand, we can be completely submitted to His purposes in our lives and still feel like we are in the 'waiting season' forever and a day. God, at times, seems completely content to leave us in a desert season for far too long. Especially in the desert places, we must remember those God-moments when He showed up, spoke to us, and promised us His provision.

Don't let the enemy sidetrack you with questions like, 'Did God really say...?" or "Do you really think He cares about this puny desire in your heart?" 

God loves us deeply. He puts dreams in our hearts. He speaks to His people. And the Bible says that His promises are backed by all of the honor of His name.

Read this beautiful verse: Psalm 138:2 ~ I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Trust in the Name of the Lord. He will not fail you! Cherish those God-moments, they are loving gifts from an intimate Father. Hang on in faith; don't let go. In due time, the season will change and you will lay hold of what God's best will for you.

~Until next week.

Comments

[Betty M]

So often I get discouraged. Finances are always tight for us.
we have had so many medical situations and are forced to keep a very expensive medicall insurance plan. I am happy that we have it and our disabled son is able to stay on it with us. A week at St Mary's Hospital in Rochester Mn just had a price tag of $47,000!
I have to ask forgiveness of God as I complain that we can not update my badly out dated kitchen or make other improvements to our 70's ranch style home out here on the ND prairies. It is difficult to have patience and stay in a good mood about it all. Today I have been watching a family of song sparrows who are nesting in bushes under outr living room window.
It i s amazing to watch these birds now busy feeding those young ones. I see them land on a branch with some tasty food and see those yellow mouths open. How well our Loving Father proivides for these little creatures of His. These little brown birds are so little in his kingdom but yet He cares for them .
If He sees the needs of these little birds I am assured He will meet mine. It has been such amazing day as I have watched these birds being fed. It has improved my mood immensely as I wait on him to decide when and if I will get these "wants" met!
Possibly if my attitude changes so will His blessings in these areas! Having a grumbling nature does show an attitude of ungratefulness and it costed the Isrealites 40 years of wondering!!!
Father, forgive my ungrateful heart as I watch You feed these little creatures I know You will supply my needs to as I wait on You! In His name I pray Amen