Pastor Stephen Dedman

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;“
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬

No one likes to wait. Especially for something great and wonderful. We want what we want, right now.  And sometimes we jump ahead and force things to happen on our timing. Waiting on the Lord and His promises is not a simple task to do.

Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them.  That’s all the details that they were given.  They didn’t know how long they would have to wait.  They didn’t even know what to expect. But what we see them doing is great.  They were together in the upper room praying and seeking the direction of God.  

The disciples were spending time together preparing for the next big thing to happen.  They were eagerly awaiting the presence and power of God to come down.  The next important thing was to replace Judas with Matthias. They were focussed on the things of the Lord.

What do you do when you are in a time of waiting?  It is important to focus on the things of God and never jump ahead of God’s timing.  Waiting is sometimes referred to as suffering, but the suffering is part of our character building.  

Patiently waiting on the Lord requires self-control and wisdom.  The reward is worth the wait.  When you are in a waiting period of your life consumeyourself in the Word of God, surround yourself with godly people, and focus on doing the Lord’s work.

Pray

Lord, help me to wait for Your direction. Give me wisdom and courage to wait for You to instruct me and guide me. I will patiently wait on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭125‬:‭1‬

Imagine the majestic Mount Zion, standing firm and unshaken through the ages. The psalmist draws a parallel between this unmovable mountain and the unwavering trust we can have in the Lord. When we place our trust in God, we become rooted in His unchanging character and steadfast love. Just as Mount Zion remains a symbol of strength and endurance, so does our faith when it is anchored in the Lord.

Life often brings challenges that may threaten to shake us to our core. However, when we build our foundation on trust in God, we find a stability that surpasses our circumstances. The storms may rage, circumstances may shift, but the one who trusts in the Lord is securely held by God.

Trusting in the Lord is an intentional choice to rely on His promises, goodness, and faithfulness. Our trust becomes an anchor that keeps us grounded, even when the world around us seems to be in chaos.

Take a moment to reaffirm your trust in the Lord. In prayer, surrender your worries, uncertainties, and fears to Him. Allow His peace to flood your heart, knowing that you are held securely in the arms of the One who abides forever. As you trust in the Lord, may you experience the unshakable peace that surpasses all understanding.

Pray

Lord, today I choose to trust in You. In moments of doubt and fear, remind me that You are my refuge and fortress. Help me to surrender my anxieties and uncertainties at Your feet, knowing that Your love is a strong and secure foundation for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭5‬

It shouldn’t take much for someone to see that God’s works are wonderful. Wonderful doesn’t even begin to describe how great His works are.

God made no mistakes from the time of creation nor has He held back any glorious design. Take the human body for example. How wonderful it is that the human body can heal itself. 

The human brain has the capacity to store over 74 terabytes just in the cerebral cortex alone. Imagine if we used our brains to full capacity. 

Now take creation as an example. The earth provides the perfect environment for humans to exist. The stars in the heavens remind us how small we are compared to God. The sun is just at the right distance to bless us and not burn us. God is wonderful in all His works. 

If and when you struggle in your faith or wonder if God cares, stop and consider this verse as a reference that God knows and cares. He made us with much more detail than anything else. He loves us and cares for each and everyone of us. 

When we consider His works and thoughts we may never comprehend the extent to His greatness. Maybe one day it will all be revealed to us when we get to Heaven.

If you are struggling today consider his greatest work when He sent His Son to die for you and to give you eternal life. He has prepared a way for you to spend eternity in His presence. That alone says enough.

Pray

Lord, help me to know that You deeply care about every detail of my life. As I face my struggles, give me comfort and peace that you are in control. I know you will work it all out. In Jesus’ name, amen.