Dear Beloved,
WAIT FOR GOD'S APPOINTED TIME
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways..."
(Psalm 37:7 NIV).
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| Graphic Credit: apprising.org |
After the disobedience of Saul to the command of God to totally destroy
the Amalekites and his rejection as king of Israel by God, God sent
Prophet Samuel to anoint David as the new king. David served King Saul
for several years in spite of the fact that he knew that he was the
rightful person approved by God to be the king of Israel. He fought many
wars to the credit of Saul. Even when Saul hated him and sought to kill
him, he did not try to retaliate and forcefully claim the throne. He
had two good opportunities to kill Saul and become the king, yet he
spared his life on the two occasions (1 Samuel 24, 26). He diligently
waited for his time. The time eventually came when the men of his own
tribe came and anointed him as king over them, and when the whole people
of Israel came after some years to proclaim him king over the whole
land (2 Samuel 2, 5). He waited for his appointed time.
In one of the Yoruba legends about destiny, a man has chosen before he
came to the world that he would become affluent when he clocks the age
of forty. When he came to the world, he began to struggle from one place
to another in order to be rich. All his efforts were unsuccessful. He
became a laughing stock among his contemporaries especially those that
were successful in their undertakings. At age 39, when he could not bear
the ridicules of his friends, he committed suicide. When he got to the
gate of heaven, the gatekeeper looked at him with pity and led him to
where the records of people's destinies were kept. When he saw his own
record, he discovered that it remained only a year for him to become
affluent. He begged the gatekeeper to allow him to go back to the world,
but he did not have such opportunity any more. He did not wait for his
appointed time.
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| Graphic Credit: xxtedua.tumblr.com |
While I do not believe in all such legends, there is a lesson in it –
waiting for one's appointed time – the God's time that is the best. Has
God promised you something? Do not be in haste to get the promise. Do
not try to help God to fulfil the promise. Abraham and Sara tried to
help God in fulfilling His promises for them. Their help nearly ruined
their peaceful home (see Genesis 16, 21). Wait for God's appointed time.
He will fulfil His promise in His own time in His own way. Even when it
seems that the time does not come. Wait for God's appointed time. Do
not lose hope. His appointed time for you will come!
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you
will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, `He
who is coming will come and will not delay'" (Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)
NB
This message was first sent out on May 1, 2005.
Source: Faithwriters