Disciplemaking Makes Disciples:
"...The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."Psalm 37:23 Walking is much easier than waiting. At least the motion of walking gives you something to do. Most anything is better than standing still, unless you're waiting for a bus. Patience is a rare virtue and few possess it. A person who has the ability to wait could easily be mistaken for lazy or uncaring. God will require us to wait on him. It is a part of his plan to teach and train us as he refines our character. God has a purpose in his delays. The things that he has planned for our good will only be understood in time. God's time. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Next to this verse, in the margin of his Bible, George Mueller wrote this note: And the stops too. God builds hedges of protection around his people. Hedges are meant to either keep you in or out. Breaking through a stop sign can be painful. To wait on the Lord is to wait for his strength and protection. If He is to order our steps, we must wait until the order is completed. It is foolish for us to movebeyond the place where God has insisted that we wait. It is for our good. Moving ahead will likely result in mistakes and mistakes cause us to take detours on the road of God's guidance. The thing about detours is that you always have to return to where you started. Like Israel, another trip around the mountain. God gives the power to wait. He wants each of us to succeed in our waiting because waiting is the result of careful obedience. Watch and wait until you know it is Him who brings you to the place he has prepared for you. It may be an answer to prayer you have waited for, maybe a new job, or a healed relationship. Waiting is not failing, but allowing God to have his way in your life. What could be better? How do you know when you have waited long enough? All the assurance you need will be given to you by the Holy Spirit. Don't grieve Him by rushing ahead. Walk with God daily. He will give you the assurance you need.
Dave Grimes
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