Wait on God 1 (Prayer day 26)

One of the clearest signs of trust in God is to wait on him: to refrain from any action in a certain manner and wait for God to intervene and resolve the matter on our behalf. Why and how would we do it?

Scripture

Psalm 62:1-12 – A Psalm of David

1  For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3  How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4  They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah.

5  For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

9  Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10  Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11  Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12  and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Observation

Let’s study this Psalm today by asking the interrogative questions:

1. What does David wait on God for? (verses 1-2)
2. In what situation(s) does David suggest we wait on God? (verses 3-4; can you seen three motives?)
3. What is the difference between verses 1 and 5? What do we learn about waiting on God from this apparent repetition?
4. How does David wait on God (verse 8)?
5. In waiting on God, what does David not trust in? (verses 9-10)
6. Why does David trust God? (three reasons in verses 11-12)
7. What assurance does David have that he can trust God? (verses 11-12; hint: it happened twice…)

Personal Reflection and Application

To wait on God means to trust and wait for God to act on our behalf.  David waited on God because He alone can save David (v1-2) from the overwhelming odds, the false accusations and the hypocrisy and betrayal (v3-4). David’s waiting involved showing trust by refraining from own intervention and pouring out his heart to God (v5, 8).  He would not trust in people or money (v9-10), and trusted in God’s promise that He is powerful, loving and just in judgment (v11-12).

Is there a troubling situation that is either overwhelming or beyond your control? Let’s pray like David about it:

1. Confess your trust in God regarding this situation (v1-2).
2. Declare the situation to God (v3-4).
3. Resign your effort and intents to solve the situation yourself (v5-7).
4. Pour out our heart to God (v8).
5. Give up trust on external (v9-10).
6. Declare your trust in God’s power, faithful love and justice (v11-12).
7. Now WAIT ON GOD FOR AN ASNWER, A WORD OF ASSURANCE as David did (v11-12). Write it down and tell a close friend about it.

 

Your will be done – surrender (Prayer day 15)

God is not the genie in a bottle who pops out to do what we will whenever we pray. Rather, our prayers are the means by which we align ourselves and pray “Your will be done.”

With today’s reflection I suggest you spend some time in worship along with this prayer of trust and surrender by MercyMe.

Scripture

Luke 22:39-45 – Jesus’ prayer of surrender before the crucifixion

39  [After supper] Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  40  When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  41  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42  saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  44  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.

 Observations and reflections

1. What was the custom of Jesus referred to in verse 39?
2. What temptation did Jesus and his disciples have to resist on that evening of their arrest? And how did the disciples fare in the face of that temptation?
3. What was God the Father’s response (verse 43) to Jesus’ prayer of surrender in verse 42?
4. Even after being strengthened, Jesus prayed more earnestly. Why do you think he ended his time of prayer? How does that contrast to the disciples’ “sleeping from sorrow”? (verse 45)

Personal reflection and Prayer

The central part of the Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of surrender “Your will be done”, exemplified by Jesus’ life and – especially – his death. Although Jesus lived a life of surrender, His submission to the Father’s will of vicarious suffering and death was agonizing.  But the results of His surrender was clear: His confident, peaceful demeanour during the arrest, trials and punishment is recorded in stark contrast to the disciple’s anxiety and betrayal. Because Jesus prayed until His heart was aligned to God’s will; he endured it trusting the Father was in control.

1. Can you recall a time when you were tempted to take the easy way out, although you knew God invited you to take the hard way?

• How did that play out?
• How did you come to know God during that time?
• How did that season affect your growth spiritually?

2. In which way can you relate with the disciples who, although prompted to pray about their situation, ended up “sleeping in sorrow” rather than praying it through? Why do you think you would do that?
3. Let us pray.

• Identify your most pressing situation, your greatest immediate fear or uncertainty.
• Declare God to be Lord over that situation.
• Ask God to deliver you from this situation.
• Ask yourself: what if God does not save or intervene in this situation? Will I be okay with that? Test your heart.
• Now wrestle with God and your emotions until you find rest in God’s will. You might have to wrestle with God for a season about bigger situations in your life, and that is okay. Keep on praying about it, and God will give grace.

 

 

 

The Kingdom of God 6 – simple trust

The aim of this devotional study is to remind yourself that God is in control and that he cares for his children.

Scripture

Matthew 18:1-5

1  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  2  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3  and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  6  Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Observations and reflections

Context: In Matthew’s gospel the phrase “kingdom of heaven(s)” is used as a euphemism to the Jewish hearers (or readers) who reverently wish not to use the implied “kingdom of God” in public.

1. Summarize Jesus’ answer to the question “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2. Knowing the disciples, what was the motive in their question posed to Jesus? (v1)
3. In the world today, who is typically regarded as the greatest?
   1. How is a child NOT like that?
   2. What are the typical characteristics of a little child? Name at least 6.
4. Why would Jesus say that one would need to be “converted” to become like a little child before they “enter the kingdom of heaven”?
   1. What did Jesus imply in his answer to his disciples?
5. Jesus highlights two characteristics of children. What are they? [hint: v4, 6]

Personal reflection

Little children are generally joyful, simple-minded, innocent, unassuming, unpretentious, and trusting.  Jesus said we have to become like this and gain access to the kingdom of God.

1. Little children are simple-minded, unassuming, and unpretentious. In which way have you grown in humility during this year? How do you measure your growth in humility?
2. Children are typically trusting and obedient. In which way have you grown in obedience and trust of God during this year?  What prevents you from trusting obedience of God?
3. Are you more/less joyful now than a year ago? How do you know it?

Prayer

Reflecting on one of the three questions above, pray that God would create in you’re a simple, joyful, trusting childlikeness.  in honesty share your thoughts and motives to God.

 

Discipline of Rest – identity and trust

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on our soul’s need for rest.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

12  “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.  13  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

15  You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Observation and reflection

Context: After their 40 year wandering in Egypt, just before they were about to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminds this new generation of Israelites of the Laws God had given them at Mount Sinai.

1. Summarize the fourth of the Ten Commands quoted above in your own words.
2. To whom was this command given?
3. What are the two things that the Sabbath day was a perpetual reminder and celebration of?
4. From this command one can see that the identity of the Israelite was closely linked to the Sabbath day. What did the Sabbath day observance inform every Jew about who they were (and who they were not)? [don’t rush this answer]
5. Respond to this statement: “The Israelites were no longer slaves of Egypt or slaves to their own work; in their Sabbath rest-day they declared that they trust God would provide for their needs.”

Personal reflection and Application

Note that the New Testament believer is not bound by this Law (Colossians 2:16-17) as Jesus said, “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

1. Based on your observations above,
   1. Why do you need rest?
   2. From what do you need rest?
   3. What does rest do for your identity?
   4. What does rest do for your cares?
2. How can you adapt your schedule for time every week for this type of rest?
3. When will you rest in this way?

Prayer

Thank God that you are not a slave to make a living, but a child of God who is in the care of God.  Reaffirm your identity as beloved child of God and declare your trust in God’s provision. Commit time to rest, asking that God will deliver you from sin of hurriedness and self-dependence.

Stewardship 5 – trust

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on our relationship to God and recognize his faithful provision to us.

Short Sermon to the Birds by Francis of Assisi (around 1220 in Bevagna, Italy) meant for onlookers in the park:

“My little sisters the birds, you owe much to God, your Creator, and you ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though you neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noah that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though you neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favored you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.”

Scripture

Matthew 6:25-34

25  Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  26  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  28  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Observations and reflections

Note: Matthew 6:19-34 contain Jesus’ revolutionary teachings on possessions, money and security.  We focus on one or two such teachings each day and consider our own attitudes and behaviors in the light of his words.

1. In your own words paraphrase Jesus’ teaching regarding money in these two verses.
2. Can you think of one short phrase that best summarizes Jesus’ teaching in this section?
3. List the things Jesus says one should not be anxious of.
   1. What is the main reason Jesus says one should not be give in to anxiety? [verse 32]
   2. What does that imply about the nature of these anxieties?
   3. Considering verse 34, what more do we learn about human nature and these types of anxieties? [hint: “do not be anxious about tomorrow…”]
4. What do we learn about God (and his relationship to you/us) in this section?

Application and prayer

1. List every anxiety you carry or feel – write what are the things you stress about. Then confess it as wrong to God and ask for His peace to reign in your mind and heart.
2. Write all your needs (both immediate and foreseeable) down on a piece of paper.
   1. Paul taught that we should “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by not prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6). So before we pray through the list, take good time to thank the Father for all his faithful, loving provision in you life that you do see and have seen.
   2. Now “cast your cares in Him – for He cares for you” (1Peter 5:7). Ask him for each need – be specific.  Thank God that he has heard your prayers – as your Father who loves you.
   3. Lastly, pray for God’s Kingdom to reign in your life, family, community and work place. Let His righteousness, peace and joy reign where you live and move!  Ask God what you can do to make it come!