Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Jan 6, 2008 0:12:57 GMT -5
TIMES OF TESTING
"Until the time came to fulfil His Word, the Lord tested Joseph's character."
- Psalm 105:19 NLT
It's difficult to see God blessing others while you are forced to wait. But this is not injustice: it's divine order! Look at Joseph. His faith was being tested by the very promises God gave him. Can't you hear Satan whisper: "I thought your dream said you were supposed to be sitting on a throne. What are you doing here in prison?" But Satan miscalculated. This only looks like a prison - in reality it's the birthplace of promise and the day of small beginnings. God has not changed His mind, so don't change yours! When He's going to build something great He takes extra time to lay the foundation. "Jesus grew… in favour with God and men" (Luke 2:52 NIV). Allow yourself time to grow!
When you walk with God your opportunities for advancement are regulated by His plan, not someone else's actions. And preparation always precedes promotion. God told the prophet Elijah to go and hide himself by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3). Before he could call down fire from Heaven and defeat the prophets of Baal, Elijah had to spend time hidden away with God. There are some insights you only gain by spending quality time with God.
God may not come when you want Him to but He'll always be on time - if you wait on Him. "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). His delays are not His denials. He's never said anything He couldn't back up or promised anything He wouldn't deliver. So disregard the circumstances and stand on the Word God has given you!
(C) BOB GASS
The Vine/ The Word for Today
www.thevine.co.nz/
"Until the time came to fulfil His Word, the Lord tested Joseph's character."
- Psalm 105:19 NLT
It's difficult to see God blessing others while you are forced to wait. But this is not injustice: it's divine order! Look at Joseph. His faith was being tested by the very promises God gave him. Can't you hear Satan whisper: "I thought your dream said you were supposed to be sitting on a throne. What are you doing here in prison?" But Satan miscalculated. This only looks like a prison - in reality it's the birthplace of promise and the day of small beginnings. God has not changed His mind, so don't change yours! When He's going to build something great He takes extra time to lay the foundation. "Jesus grew… in favour with God and men" (Luke 2:52 NIV). Allow yourself time to grow!
When you walk with God your opportunities for advancement are regulated by His plan, not someone else's actions. And preparation always precedes promotion. God told the prophet Elijah to go and hide himself by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3). Before he could call down fire from Heaven and defeat the prophets of Baal, Elijah had to spend time hidden away with God. There are some insights you only gain by spending quality time with God.
God may not come when you want Him to but He'll always be on time - if you wait on Him. "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). His delays are not His denials. He's never said anything He couldn't back up or promised anything He wouldn't deliver. So disregard the circumstances and stand on the Word God has given you!
(C) BOB GASS
The Vine/ The Word for Today
www.thevine.co.nz/