Wait on God

Dear Sisters,
Happy February! How are you, dear sisters? I hope that this morning’s devotional isn’t too gloomy for those of you who are grinning from ear to ear and answering, “Great!” Like the writer of Ecclesiastes 3 points out there’s a time for everything . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. This devotional is especially poignant for those who are in a time of tears. Praying for all of you! Have a God-seeking week.

WAIT ON GOD

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:25-26

January 2010 brought many heavy prayer requests to the ACTS Team: doctors discovered a malignant tumor in the stomach of a counselor and mother of four, a counselor’s 4-year old son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a counselor’s 20-something year old son suffered from a fall and has severe head trauma, and a 35-year old husband and father suddenly passed away. Along with those public requests come private petitions – prayers for healing for strained relationships, hope in business/financial challenges, and faith in uncertain times.

If salty tears have been your food, one of the places you’ll find affinity is in the book of Lamentations. Known as the book of tears, Lamentations is filled with sorrow for the fallen city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet writes, “My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within, my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city” (Jeremiah 2:11). Although your source of heartache may be different than Jeremiah’s funeral song, its message of hope is timeless.

Jeremiah looked within (Lamentations 3:1-18). He sees an old man with broken bones that is surrounded by bitterness and hardship. He feels mangled, abandoned, mocked, and deprived of peace. Can you identify? The more fixated we become on self, the more hopeless we can feel.

Jeremiah looked to God (Lamentations 3:19-39). By faith Jeremiah shifts his internal focus upward and has hope! Why? Because of the LORD’s great love ________________ (your name) is not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (v. 22-24). To wait on God is an expectant hope! You look to Him in prayer and in His Word and expect Him to speak and show His goodness.

Jeremiah looked to the people (Lamentations 3:40-66). He sent out a prayer request to the people asking them to lift up their hearts and their hands to God in heaven and beg for His mercy and forgiveness (v. 40-42). A reminder of the importance of joining with the family of God in prayer!

Jeremiah heard God (Lamentations 3:55-57). When he called on the Lord from the depths of the pit, God heard, He came near, and said, “Do not fear” (v. 57). When you call out to God, He will come close and say, “It’s going to be all right.”

Prayer Step: Through tears and smiles, wait for the Lord and put your hope in His Word (Psalm 130:5, 6).

In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day’s business. William Penn

Grace and peace,
Lenae