Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Keep Believing

Have you ever had someone promise you something and then you had to wait for it to happen?  There were many times in my childhood that my parents had promised me something and thankfully (because I have great parents ... and no I am not saying that just because Christmas is coming) they always came through on their promises.  There were times that I had to wait a bit to get what I want, but even if they missed the deadline (which never happened often), they still fulfilled their promises to me.

With each promise comes a sense of anticipation; There comes the excitement of what is going to be.  Sometimes, there is also a time of waiting.  Think about the joy that comes at Christmas (and I realize this is starting to sound like a shameless plug but honestly it isn't).  Kids know (honestly it isn't) that Christmas is right around the corner and they are doing everything they can to get off the 'naughty' list and unto the 'nice' list.  However, there is the wait for all those weeks and days (87 days in case you are wondering) before the day finally arrives.  But then it happens, the days of waiting are over and we celebrate Christmas.  Children when they wake up Christmas morning (sometimes too early for some parents) and make a mad dash for the Christmas tree to see what Santa (if you so believe ... and I still do) brought them this year for being so good.  There is excitement!  There is joy!

There have been times in my life where God has made promises to me.  With each promise there has been an immediate sense of joy and excitement!  Sometimes however, there has been a waiting process that happens.  The cool thing is that it isn't about trying to get off the 'naughty' list and trying to get on the 'nice' list, it is about having faith that God is going to do what He said He will do because we are His children. (1 John 3:1)  He wants to pour out His good gifts on us.  He wants to bless us!

But we have to believe that He will do what He said He will do.  I believed my parents were going to come through on their promises and because I loved them, I would respond out of obedience.  Because we believe that God is, we respond in obedience.  If we truly love God, then we will obey His commands, not to get on the 'nice' list, but simply because we love Him.  2 John 1:6 says it this way,
"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
Out of love for God we respond.  Out of love for us, God responds.

If you're waiting on a promise from God this morning, don't worry about whether or not God is still working in your situation.  Maybe you're struggling through a sickness and God has promised that He is going to heal you.  Maybe you're waiting on that relationship and God has promised that He is going to bring that someone special in your life.  Maybe you're waiting on a job or promotion and God has promised that it is coming.  Whatever you're waiting on, keep believing that God is going to provide in His timing and don't be discouraged.  God always comes through on His promises.  Just continue to love God in faithful obedience and believe that He will do what He said He will do.

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