Calm Down and Wait!
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14). Did you notice that important little word that appears twice in this verse? Wait! How difficult it is for us to wait. Most of us want what we want right now. Those who are sick want instant healing. Those who have financial troubles want an immediate provision. Those who are down want gladness promptly. It is extremely rare to find anyone content in their circumstances. Impatient, we try to hasten things along. But in it all, God says, Wait!
If we really believe there is never a time when God makes mistakes, we can patiently wait. Where did we get the idea that because things aren't working out as we wanted them that God is not concerned about us? God is always concerned about His people. Never is there an instant when He is not mindful of the believer's welfare. Nothing can befall His own apart from His sovereign will and mercy. Things do not merely happen by chance. Whatever it is that comes our way must be considered as a valuable part of the holy plan of God.
A young man was eager to get an education. Just when it looked as though this might become a possibility, he became deathly ill and was sick for an entire year. In order to add to the family income, he learned to knit and sew. Later in life, as an eminent surgeon, he said, "During that year, which at the time I thought was a total loss and waste, I learned the skillful and delicate use of my hands, which has given me whatever success I have achieved in my practice."
God knows all about our situation. He has everything under control. What we think is a hopeless predicament is one of the all things working together for good (Romans 8:28). One of these days we will get the rest of the story. We don't understand it now, but the time will come when all things will unfold. For the present, we are to keep looking to Jesus, and Wait!
Have you ever had the experience, while driving your car, hurrying to get somewhere, when suddenly you were confronted with a sign which read "Detour?" How disturbing! One time when I had that experience I saw the other drivers going around the sign and continuing on the newly-constructed highway. I did the same thing. After riding a while on the new road it suddenly came to an abrupt end where workmen were busy constructing a bridge to link the highway to its continuation. Along with the other drivers, I had to turn around, losing valuable time. I reassured myself that detours are for a purpose.
We face numerous detours in life. A young mother is happily engaged in caring for her loving husband and endearing children, but suddenly illness strikes and sometimes even death - an unexpected detour. A young father is moving up the line in his employment. He has worked hard and is beginning to enjoy success, but all of a sudden, a detour. When facing detours, we can wait on the Lord knowing that whatever we must suffer is not without the oversight of divine intelligence.
Sometimes it appears as though we are surrounded by nothing but liabilities. Are there no resources? Yes, definitely—thousands, millions, billions, trillions. Where are they? Above you, below you, and around you. The earth and the air are full of untold resources. Can't you see them? "No, not really," you reply. You don't need to see them. Keep your eyes on our Lord. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Wait on Him! It is not necessary for you to see help in sight, nor is it necessary for God to have relief at hand. The Lord does not need anything with which to begin.
We are told that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. What did He have in His stockpile to draw on to create the heaven and earth? Nothing, absolutely nothing! When the earth was made, on what did He hang it? Nothing! Remember, not a scrap of anything was used. The Bible says, He hangeth the earth upon nothing (Job 26:7). It keeps hanging, doesn't it?
A God who can make an earth, a sun, a moon, and stars out of nothing and keep them hanging on nothing, can supply all our needs, whether He has anything with which to begin work or not. This is why I say you can afford to wait on God. In His own time, He will act. He always does. God works according to divine time. Divine time is better than earthly time because God's clock is never early or late.
Cheer up, saint of God. Your situation could be worse. You could face it without the peace of God that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). You could be in it without God's divine presence. Pray, as did one of God's faithful saints:
Lord, let me feel Thy presence nigh, Each hour, each day, each year. That in Thy strength I may rely, And, trusting, have no fear.
Keep praying that prayer and resting in the confidence that God will not fail you, for underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).
Your problem could be greater than you think it is. You may be without God, having never trusted in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation. If so, I can understand why you are impatient and fearful. You are without hope. You need Jesus Christ who is our hope. The hope Christians have is the anchor of the soul. Right now, if you never have, ask Jesus Christ to become your Savior and Lord. You may be sure He will. If you are sincere, He will enter your life, never to leave.
J. Allen Blair
PRESSED FOR TIME?
Dr. Blair often asks questions to spur us to action, or to cause us to examine ourselves. The free message in print for the month is titled, What's Your Hurry? You must let us know you appreciate this monthly publication so that we're sure you are interested in receiving it. If we don't hear, we have to assume that you are not reading it, or that you are not interested.
We want to send it, so, please take a moment to get in touch and, at the same time, receive the free message in print, What's Your Hurry? It is our way of saying thank you for your contact!
REFLECTIONS with Dr. Blair
While visiting in the hospital, I saw an elderly man seated in a wheelchair who looked sad and depressed. After introducing myself and greeting him, I handed him a Gospel tract saying, "Here is something you might enjoy reading. It will tell you about the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God." He looked at me in silence a few seconds and then asked, "Is He still living?" I replied, "Yes sir, He is very much alive." And then I told him about our living Christ and what He will do for anyone who will honestly trust in Him. I hope you are trusting Him as your Savior and Lord, for without Him life can be extremely difficult.
Support, Correspondence, Needs...
We invite people to write, call, or email us in response to the radio ministry and in response to this monthly publication. Our purpose is so we can serve the needs of those who listen and respond. We can only continue as others of you stand with us by praying and financially supporting this outreach.
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Dear Dr. Blair, because of you and your thoughtful explanation of God's word, you are responsible for bringing me to the Lord on February 2, 2000, at 5:50 a.m., a day I will always look back on with pride and joy, being forever grateful to you and your ministry."
Wayne from Mississippi