Untitled Page

Of all the things we are given to do, waiting can be the most difficult. Living in a self-service, fast-food, convenience-oriented culture, we are used to getting what we want, when we want it. Even if we find that our finances don't warrant it, our access to credit enables us to gain the immediate satisfaction we desire. As a result of our impatience, many of us have had experience with buyer's remorse, at one time or another, having been so overcome with longing that we gave in to the temptation to buy on the spot.

By definition, the word "wait" means "to remain until something expected happens" or "to be ready." Within its context there is the hope of future satisfaction. If we know that something is coming and it will come in time, but we must "wait" for it, why then do we feel that we need to rush to get it, if eventually it will come to us in the end? We should use the time to prepare, to get ready for that future time when our hope will be fulfilled; this is what it truly means to wait.

Of all the attributes of God, this is one we should be most thankful for: that He waits for us. He is the patient Father, waiting for His prodigal child to come home, and the long-suffering Savior, giving opportunity to all to repent. He waits for us so that He can pour out His eternal blessings upon us. Our one desire should be to wait upon Him. If we are patient and willing to set everything else that we long for and desire aside and seek Him with all our hearts, we will be endlessly satisfied and want for nothing. Wait for Him, faithful one...be prepared, and wait for Him!

Breakfast: Nine ladies dancing - Focus on Galatians 5:22-23

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive

whatever grievances you have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues

put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14

"On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...nine ladies dancing." The Fruit of the Spirit (note that it says "fruit," not "fruits") is the character produced in the Christian life through the Holy Spirit. Just as good fruit on a good tree is produced over time, as the tree drinks in water and sunshine, so to, spiritual "fruit" grows when we are planted beside "streams of living water" and basking in the Light of the Lord (reference Psalm 1:3, John 7:38; 15:6). This fruit does not come from any work that we do, it come solely from the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Just as real fruit has seeds to produce additional fruit; the fruit of the Spirit also produces more fruit. This comes from cultivating a climate for further growth through the Word of God, prayer, worship, and fellowship. And just as the fruit of a tree or vine is not meant to be admired, but to be eaten, this fruit in our lives is meant to bless and help others; however, it is not meant for the praises of men, it is for the glory of God alone.

The Holy Spirit helps us to overcome our fleshly desires so that we might bear fruit - fruit that will last (reference John 15:16). The fruit that is produced begins with love because all other fruit is born out of love (reference 1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1); joy comes from a life of love; love and joy produce peace; from there the Christian life reaches out to others with patience, kindness, and goodness (this is love in action); and the more love we experience through God and towards others we grow in faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit is endless and abounding as we wait upon the Lord and walk in His glorious Light.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit," and allow Him to produce a life of fruitfulness that will bring glory, honor, and praise to the Lord (reference Galatians 5:25). May that be our prayer as we set aside our fleshly desires and walk out our door today being led by the Spirit, and may others recognize us by the "good" fruit we bear (reference Luke 6:44; Galatians 5:16-18).

"But the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passion,

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing

of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Titus 2:11-13

Lunch: Finding Meaning...in the WAIT of God - Focus on Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

"The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong."

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Waiting upon God can be difficult when our fleshly impulses push us to go forward with our own plans. The Teacher of Ecclesiastes shares that God is ultimately in control of all events and we would be wise to put our trust in God instead of trusting ourselves.

Living in the time we do, we are realizing more than ever that life is unpredictable. Each day brings new challenges and, as many have experienced, life can change dramatically, in an instant. One thing is certain, the Teacher expresses in Ecclesiastes, and that is the imminence of death (reference 9:5; Hebrews 9:27). God holds our future in His hands and nothing we can do can change that - except for putting our trust in God.

For believers, we can live our lives with hope because our Savior has conquered death (reference 2 Timothy 1:10). We no longer live a purposeless and mundane life; we live expectantly for our future life with the Lord. Because of the hope we have in Christ, we can wait patiently and walk confidently knowing that what is out of our control, rests firmly in the Lord's control. God has planned and purposed all things for our good and His ultimate glory. His desire is that we enjoy the blessings we have been given - in family, friendships, marriage, and work - and reject worthless pursuits that have no eternal value. We need to consider what we are investing our time in. We can toil and labor and end up empty and lonely, with nothing to show for all our hard work, or we can wait upon God and spend time enjoying the blessings of the simple things in life and leave a legacy of love that will bear fruit to bless the next generation. Today, let us be thankful for the simple pleasures in life that we have been given and offer a prayer of praise for all that we have that the Lord has blessed us with that required no work on our behalf. How blessed we are to have a loving heavenly Father Who gives us all good things simply because we wait upon Him (reference Matthew 7:11).

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in His word I put my hope."

Psalm 130:5

Dinner: The Sovereignty of God - a Matter of Waiting on God - Focus on Daniel 9:1-27

"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets

so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

it speaks of the end and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come and will not delay."

Habakkuk 2:2-3

This may very well be my favorite chapter in the Bible (if it is possible to choose such a thing!). It is a lot to digest in one meal, so you may need to chew on it for a little while and maybe even save some for a midnight snack. In this chapter we find a perfect example of what the Lord desires from the lives of His children - to be devoted to the Word of God and prayer. Daniel was a man of the Word and a man of prayer and because he faithfully waited upon God, the Lord shared His plans with His servant: "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed" (v.22-23).

How blessed we will be through the revelation of God's Word when we faithfully submit to spending time with Him each day. Daniel knew how to pray and his prayer in verses 4 through 19 express the heart of a true intercessor crying out to God on behalf of an entire nation. The Scriptures record the prayers of many faithful intercessors who moved the hand of God (Moses in Exodus 32:7-14; Elijah in 1 Kings 18; Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20; and us if we will respond to 2 Chronicles 7:14). The Lord is looking for the fervent prayers of a faithful few, and as these cases have shown, just one will do!

Who, today, is living like Daniel? Are there any Daniels who are diligently seeking God in His Word and asking Him to show them when He will act and what He will do? Is there anyone questioning God and waiting patiently for the answer while still pursuing Him in His Word? How many, of God's children, get on their knees, or faces, three times a day to seek the Lord - not for their own needs - but for the needs of their church, or community, or country? Who are the faithful? We need fervent prayer warriors who are interceding for this nation in this desperate hour we are living in (reference James 5:16b).

Our God is patiently waiting, not wanting any to perish, but also to pour out His blessings on those who will turn back to Him with whole-hearted devotion. Tonight, may it be our prayer to desire the things of God, the heart of God, the mind of God, and the love of God and become the hands and feet of God to a world waiting to be rescued from a life of sin and darkness.

"O LORD, listen! O LORD, forgive!

O LORD, hear and act!

For Your sake, O my God, do not delay,

because Your city and Your people bear Your name."

Daniel 9:19

A Word of Encouragement

"I always thank God for you because of His grace

given you in Christ Jesus.

For in Him you have been enriched in every way -

in all your speaking and in all your knowledge -

because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift

as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

He will keep you strong to the end,

so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God, Who has called you into fellowship

with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

If you keep a prayer journal, take time to record your prayers and thoughts.

Trumpet and Torch Ministries www.trumpetandtorch.org