There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.

At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.

Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. “I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. “Jesus answered him, ’ . . . the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ ” (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.

________________________________________________________

January 4, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Waiting is hard! I sometimes confuse waiting on the Lord with doing nothing. I was taught that to have a goal and to take no action is laziness. If you want it then you must go out and get it! I often worry that I am being lazy if I am not engaged in it bringing my goals to reality.

And God says…”Oswald Chambers wrote it exactly as directed; “If you have the slightest doubt, then I am not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.” You cannot finish a work I began in you, it is my work and I will finish it, if you wait for Me. You will know it is Me working and My will for your life, when there is absolutely no doubt in your mind. You will know which steps to take when you are absolutely certain it is Me leading your way. Until you know that certainty, be still, pray without ceasing and be at peace knowing that I am working it all out for your good because I love you. If I gave you My son why would I not give you every good thing? Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding…..delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart.”