Pastor Stephen Dedman

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
What are you waiting for God to do, and are you willing to trust Him while you wait?

Context
Isaiah 25 looks beyond the struggles of the present to the day when God will ultimately defeat death, wipe away tears, and bring His people into His promised salvation. Isaiah points to a future when God’s people will look back and realize that every promise was worth waiting for. Their confidence was not misplaced because God proved Himself faithful.

Application
Waiting on God can be difficult. We often want Him to act according to our timetable and in the way we expect. But God is never late, and His promises never fail. There may be seasons when you cannot see what God is doing, but you can still trust who He is.

The people in Isaiah’s prophecy would one day say, “This is our God; we have waited for Him.” Their waiting would turn into rejoicing.

Whatever you are facing today, don’t allow the difficulty of the moment to make you doubt the faithfulness of God. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep waiting. The God who saved you is the God who will sustain you.

Truth For The Day
God is worth waiting for because He is always faithful to His promises.

Pray
Lord, help me trust You when I cannot see what You are doing. Give me patience to wait on Your timing and faith to believe Your promises. Remind me that You are faithful, even when my circumstances are difficult. Help me look beyond today and rejoice in the salvation and hope You have promised. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where do you turn when fear, uncertainty, or trouble enters your life?

Context
Psalm 46 was written in a time of great uncertainty and danger. The psalmist describes a world that seems to be falling apart with mountains moving, waters roaring, and nations raging. Yet in the middle of chaos, there is an unchanging truth: God is our refuge. He is not distant from His people in times of trouble. He is present and powerful.

Application
September 11 reminds us that life can change in a moment. We remember the thousands of lives lost, the families who were forever changed, and the heroes who ran toward danger while others were running away.

We should remember, but we should also turn our remembrance into faith. We cannot control what tomorrow will bring, but we can know the One who holds tomorrow. When fear comes, run to God. When grief comes, seek His comfort. When uncertainty comes, trust His sovereignty.

The answer to a troubled world is not found in pretending trouble does not exist. It is found in knowing that God is with us in the middle of it.

Truth For The Day
When the world feels uncertain, God remains our certain refuge.

Pray
Lord, today we remember September 11 and the lives that were lost and the families whose lives were forever changed. Comfort those who still carry grief from that day. Thank You for the courage of those who sacrificed themselves to help others. Help us never to forget. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you spending too much time wishing for the past instead of asking God what He wants you to do today?

Context
Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom that teaches us to see life from God’s perspective. In this verse, Solomon warns against constantly looking backward and assuming that the past was better than the present. Nostalgia can cause us to overlook what God is doing today.

Application
It is easy to say, “Things were better back then.” We remember the good moments and often forget the difficulties that came with them. But God has placed us in this season for a reason. Instead of wishing for yesterday, we should ask, “Lord, what are You teaching me today? How can I honor You with the opportunities You have given me now?”

The past can teach us, but it was never meant to hold us captive. We cannot go back and relive yesterday, but we can faithfully live today.

Truth For The Day
God wants us to trust Him with today instead of longing for yesterday.

Pray
Lord, thank You for every season of my life. Help me not to live in the past or constantly wish for yesterday. Give me wisdom to recognize what You are doing in my life today and faith to trust You with tomorrow. Help me use this day for Your glory and faithfully follow You wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.