|
November 8, 2012
Day 3
The Hands On The Clock
__________________________________
Dear Praying Friend,
As believers, and servants, of the Most High God we have the distinct honor of being the hands and feet of Jesus in His great Kingdom building plan. From the moment of salvation the life of Christ was deposited within us in the gift of His Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct us as we accomplish the work of the Lord. Faithful servant Corrie ten Boom dedicated her life to being, what she called, "the skin on the hands of God"; and God used those willing hands during one of the most tragic times in human history to hide, feed and protect His chosen people, the Jews. What an awesome privilege we have been given of being the flesh that reveals the Power and Presence of Holy God to the world. There are times when we may neglect, ignore, or rebel against the commands of God, but praise God that we are blessed with a patient and loving Heavenly Father Who will do whatever is necessary to get us back on track and heading in the right direction.
As we meditate on Psalm 77:3-9 today, we find the psalmist crying out in perplexity over the Lord's failed response. The writer's application of God's faithfulness in past answers to prayer has caused great confusion and anguish in his present circumstances. Sometimes we neglect to see that we might be the one's slowing down the response of God because we are wasting time dragging our feet or failing to respond to His call to us. In His infinite goodness, and because He is patient, He moves the hands of the clock to accomplish His greater work of building faith, establishing trust, and developing determination in His children.
How wondrous it is that His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours (reference Isaiah 55:9)! So often our limited vision prevents us from seeing through the paralyzed progress on the front lines to the ground-breaking activity going on behind the scenes. The Scriptures cite many examples of God's chosen ones being placed in a holding pattern so His greater work could prevail. Consider the example of Joseph who was protected in prison while he was being prepared for a position of power during a time of great poverty (reference Genesis 39:20-23; 41:14, 41-44).
Time and time again the Scriptures speak of the Lord's promises to His chosen ones only to reveal a gap in the timing of there fulfillment - but fulfillment came, nonetheless! This past year we have experienced first hand the favor of God's hand as He has moved His children to seek Him in His Word and caused us to press in fervently with prayer and fasting. He knows what lies ahead for the coming year and has given us this privileged pause to passionately pursue Him so we will be adequately prepared to trust in His provision and protection in the days ahead. May we not fail to take advantage of the time we have been given to remain steadfast in faithfulness to His call!
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time,
it speaks of the end and it will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it,
it will certainly come and not delay."
(Habakkuk 2:3)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You that You have set the hands of the clock of this world and You have an appointed time for all things to be fulfilled. We cry out with the psalmist, "How long, Lord, how long?" only because we long for Your return. You have told us, "it is not for us to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority" and You continued by telling us that "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses..." because You are patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". Father, we are grateful for this time of preparation. We place our trust in You; You have never failed on any of Your promises and Your word that has proven true time and time again. Fill us with greater understanding as we glean the Truths of Your Word and equip us greater perseverance as we stand firmly against the forceful tide of this present world. Help us to not waste a single moment of the time You have graciously given us, so that when You return You will find your righteous ones "living by faith". We praise You that Your answers and Your timing are always for our good and for Your glory! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Remaining steadfast in prayer, Traci Alexander Trumpet and Torch Ministries Psalm 27 _______________________________________________________ Prayer Scripture references: Exodus 9:5; Psalm 6:3; 102:13; Daniel 8:19; 11:27, 35; Habakkuk 2:4; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 9:9; 2 Corinthians 6:2: 2 Peter 3:9. |
