Stepping Stones: How Long, Lord?

Transformational Tip
God tells us throughout scripture that he is there...that he will rescue us. Yet there is something about God’s rescues that make them a little less timely than dialing 911. He leaves Abraham with his knife raised and ready to plunge into Isaac’s heart, and Isaac waiting for the knife to descend; he leaves Joseph languishing for years in an Egyptian prison; he allows the Israelites to suffer four hundred years of bondage under the Egyptians. He abandons Jesus to the cross and does not rescue him at all. And then there are those of us who are groaning under the weight of things gone wrong, waiting for that same Jesus to return and sweep us up with him in power and glory. “How long, Lord?” we whisper in our weariness and pain. Satan wants us to think God will never come, or if He comes to our rescue, it will be too late. God is the perfect coach, teacher, and parent…He knows exactly how long we need to struggle in a drill, project, or adversity for us to develop more maturity, resiliency…the mind of Christ.
Today, when God calls you to battles where the deck appears stacked in favor of those who are His enemies and ours, go fight that battle. Don’t cave in and engage in dysfunctional behavior, do what is right, what is God honoring. This will empower you spiritually, psychologically, and actually strengthen your brain chemistry. Forget about how long the rescue will take…rest in God’s perfect timing. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on impatience…God’s timing vs. your wants.

Prayer
Dear Father God, You are awesome and so powerful over everything, including time. I confess, time still matters to me…too much.. I come to you tired and full of pain. I pray and I wait for you to rescue me. I confess Father that I grow impatient. Help me Father to know and remember that you are in control…that it is your timing I must adhere to and accept. How long must I wait Lord? Help me humble myself to Your timeline, Your will, Your plan for me. Help me know Your love for me…that You do care about what happens to me. I pray in the name of He who was my timeless Savior, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!

The Truth
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 1:6-8
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:12-14