Psalms 8:1, 31:1-4

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Psalm 40. The entire Psalm blessed me. I especially liked verses 3-5 and verses 12-17, especially verse 17. But the Spirit kept calling me back to verse 1:

Psalms 40:1 ¶ I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

David testified that he waited patiently for the LORD, and was rewarded, for He inclined to him and heard his cry.

The definition of faith requires that any who come to God “must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Sometimes diligence requires patience.

There is an occasion to “command” His attention (Isaiah 45:11). This is when we are petitioning God to move His hand in accordance to His promise, to perform a vow. For example, we might “command” His attention to the promise of Malachi 3:10—where He has invited us to prove Him by the Tithe.

There are seasons where we are called upon to wait “patiently for the LORD.” These are difficult seasons for me, waiting.

Along the still waters, I thought about how annoyed I used to become when required to wait for my Bride. But, over the years, I’ve learned how to wait for my bride!

To tarry for her to finish her preparations, the last minute duties she feels compelled to address while I wait, and sometimes the unexpected interruptions that hinder her from hastening out the door. I had to wait, the alternative was to leave without her. But for many years I waited impatiently.

I’ve learned that she does not purpose to delay our departure, she does not purpose to annoy me; it is not owing to any dalliance, negligence, or dilly-dallying. I can wait for her because I trust her. I love her enough to wait for her. Besides, the alternative would be to leave without her, and that would be unacceptable. Though it took a while I have learned to wait patiently.

I know God does not make me wait merely to annoy me, torment me, and certainly there is no “dilly-dallying” with GOD.  I’ve also learned that the alternative to waiting is departing without Him. That never turns out well. I’ve learned to wait patiently. And the secret is trusting His timing, and that requires submitting my will to His.

In the valley, shadowed by the cross, I thought about how long God has “waited” for me! The Spirit testifies: “The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (Exodus 34:6; see Psalm 86:15; Romans 2:4; and notice that in the New Testament more is said about this being something we should manifest in our lives as the “fruit of the Spirit” —Galatians 5:22).

I heard two wonderful messages last night, one of them on what it means to take up our cross to follow Him, and the other expressing what it is God is patiently waiting for.

Jesus showed us what it means to “carry our cross” and to “follow Him” in his own example on His cross (Thank you, Pastor Foote). The other message taught me what He is waiting on me for: He waits for us to “sigh,” to become exhausted trying to serve Him in the energy of our flesh, to surrender to His will and in godly sorrow to turn toward Him in genuine repentance. Thank you, preacher Judeh.

The Spirit spoke Christ’s words in my heart: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, Jesus anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup, intermingled with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed as we walked together into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live when I can find a place sufficiently quiet and isolated as I travel today.

By the way, last night we did not return to my room with sufficient time to post my devotion until after midnight here.

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