WAITING: REWARDS
One of the most stressful task that mankind has to perform is that of waiting. This process drives some crazy, makes some mad, cause anxiety, turns some off, incurs difficulties for some and overall is very uncomfortable for others. Very few have the patience to spare or the willingness to accept the fact that there is really a need to wait. We seem to have mastered most of the characteristics of life, but failed when it comes to the principle of waiting. We often miss the best that is coming and end up with the worst that would have passed. It is no surprise that he who knows us best, admonished and or encouraged us to: “wait on the LORD and be of good courage” (Psalm 27: 14).
Sunday May 14th. 2008 is designated Pentecost Sunday on the Christian Calendar. It marks the 50th day after the Jewish Passover counting from the second day of the Passover Feast and therefore falls on a Sunday always. This day of worship is especially important to Christians, because it identifies with a very important dispensation under the Covenant of Grace. While Resurrection Sunday (the day Christ Rose from the grave), marks the transference of worship from the seventh day Sabbath to the “first day of the week (Sabbath)” for Christians in general; Sunday: “The Day of Pentecost”: confirms for the Christian, this transference and further establishes the fulfillment of God’s promises to all believers that the Comforter would come to teach all things and bring things to remembrance. John: (14: 1 – 27), (15: 26 – 27) & (16: 5 -16). For many it signifies the start of the New Testament Church (The Christian Church). The events of his day, teaches an important lesson on WAITING. The Scriptures tell us that on this day there were about 120 Disciples of Jesus, including the 12 Apostles; along with women including Mary the mother of Jesus, WAITING in the upper room in Jerusalem. Some of them had just returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet where they were witnesses to Christ ascension up to heaven. It was a seven day journey from Mount Olivet to the Upper Room at Jerusalem where Peter and others were waiting. Those who were commanded by Jesus to go and preach the Gospel to the world, were also commanded to wait until they were endued with Power (Matthew 28: 18 – 20) (Mark 16: 14 – 20) & (Luke 24: 46 – 49). They had been waiting for at least one week without anything happening. As they waited they were with one accord in one place when the Day of Pentecost came. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the house where they were sitting. There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded because that every man heard the Disciples speak in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another: “are not all these which speak Galileans? How hear us every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born” (Acts 2: 2-8)? The Comforter had come. The Teacher had come. The Source of all memory had come. The Refiners Fire came and did the work of refining those who waited patiently. The Baptizer had come and they were baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire. They now had liberty to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles alike starting right there in Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost was teaching them all things and bringing remembrance, to all things which they were told; gave them new tongue, new language, new speech and great boldness. No script was required, no interpreter was needed and no corrections were necessary. The undiluted, uncorrectable, unchallenged, unscripted, unedited and incontestable Word of God was been delivered to every listening ear. The Spirit of God now lived and worked in them. They had WAITED patiently as they were commanded and received the promised reward. The Transformation had taken place and these Sons and Servants of God were endued with power from on high. If there had been an impatient member of the group, who decided that he could not wait any longer and left; he would have missed this moment in time, and possible all the blessing; just as King Saul lost the Kingdom to David, because he was too impatient and did not wait for Samuel as he was commanded to do. Waiting is an important attribute of the Child of God and we must all learn to wait on the LORD. Sometimes it seems downright ridiculous when you can’t find a plausible reason for waiting, the burden is heavy and the waiting is too long. Everyone else is moving ahead while you remain stuck. Your situation has not changed and there is no sign of it changing. You feel like you have had enough and just can’t take it any longer. It may be a bad marriage, financial difficulties, problems at work, peer pressure, spousal abuse, hunger, fear, threats, abuse, sickness or some other aspect of life’s turmoil that is tugging at that slender string of patience. There is much strain on that string of patience but it won’t break unless you move. WAIT a little longer. Wait for your tomorrow.
I really don’t know who you are or what it is that you may be going through. You may be just about ready to give up and possible do something crazy or something that is not so honorable. The fact that you are reading this means that you are alive and because you are alive there is hope. WAIT a little longer. He who has kept you until now is able to keep you for a long time to come. He knows the pain you feel and how to keep you as you go through this Valley of the Shadow of Death, making sure you endure. Be patient, think not about today; but think about a better tomorrow. Look not on the woes of yesterday but look ahead for the rising of the day when the present will be your past and the past shall be no more and the Dayspring arise. While God’s anger endures for a moment; in his favor is life. Weeping may endure through the nights of your life, but JOY comes in the morning: when he shall turn your mourning into dancing and gird you with joy and gladness. Live in hope and not in despair; wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
Maybe you are not a Christian and all this does not make any sense to you. It’s ok. You are not alone. Just know that God is willing and able to do the impossible for you if you only trust him. Turn to him always and WAIT: you may never know what he will do for you, unless you wait. Know that the best is not behind you, but ahead of you. Don’t give up now; let him take you to your best tomorrow. WAIT.
God loves you first and I love you too. Be blessed.
W. Bennett
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