Wait Upon The Lord

Psa 40:1 : I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

Practically every person I know is waiting for something or the other in their lives. One of the greatest tests we face as a Christian is the test of waiting. There are people who are waiting for the answers to many prayers; some are waiting for their dear ones to be saved by accepting Jesus; Some are waiting for a life partner, some for their broken marriages to be restored, yet others are waiting to receive their promise child, yet others to see the hand of God moving on their children and their salvation; Some are waiting for a healing for their illnesses; People are waiting to be filled with the spirit of God; Some are waiting to get a good job; Many are waiting for a promotion or a deliverance in their jobs; Some are waiting for their ministry doors to open; Some are waiting for God to spark a revival in their midst.

Whatever stage you are in, dear friend, the bible offers precious comfort for those who are facing the stress of waiting.

A word of Caution – Don’t fail this test !

The word of God is replete with examples of people failing their tests of waiting.

• Saul presumptuously offered a sacrifice when he was tired of waiting for Samuel (1 Sam 13:8-10) and the Lord removed the kingdom from him and gave it to David.
• In another instance, when Moses was in the mount of God receiving the law from the Lord, the children of Israel grew tired of waiting for Moses to come back and they asked Aaron to make them an idol (Ex 32:1).
• While Abraham was waiting for the promised child, he tried to help God by fathering an Ishmael (a son of the flesh - who was not even considered as a son by God because God called Isaac as Abraham's only son - Gen 22:2 )
• And then we have Peter, who got tired of waiting and went fishing along with 6 other chosen ones (Jn 21:3) and would have lost his calling but for the mercy of the Lord.

The period of waiting is a time when the believer may lose his patience and he will try to help God or produce an idol or act presumptuously and do his own thing. Be careful that this is not your response in this season of waiting.

Wait patiently & Expect Him to act

Ps 40:1 says: the psalmist waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord. There is waiting and there is "patient and expectant" waiting. The Lord wants us to cultivate an expectancy and patience while we are waiting for the Lord. Dear child of God, these are the basic qualities of faith - and if you believe in the Lord Jesus, you need to possess these qualities and nurture & grow them. Faith in God demands that we accept His sovereignty and we know that His plans for us are good even when we don't see our life going the way we like to.

Wait for the Lord – Not for His gifts

The other thing is: Often, in our lives, we are waiting for certain things to happen. If you introspect with an honest heart, we are not waiting for God but we are waiting for the physical & spiritual gifts that the Lord can give us! There is a huge difference. We become tired and weary and bitter in our waiting period because our focus is on the circumstances and not on the Lord. The Word says: if you are waiting upon the Lord, you will renew your strength and you will mount up like eagles and we shall not be weary. (Isa 40:31) The Lord says: they that wait on the lord shall not be ashamed ! (Psa 25:3) The Lord says: Blessed are they that wait for Him. (Isa 30:18) Wait on the Lord and He shall save you ! (Prov 20:22)

It’s worth the wait

When I meditate on "waiting for the Lord", I am reminded of some of the barren women who waited before the Lord gave them a child. (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Manoah’s wife, Hannah, Elisabeth, etc) There are many profound lessons for all of us who are waiting for an answer to prayer in any topic. Was it too difficult for the Lord to grant them their prayers instantaneously ? The reason for the Lord choosing to make them wait was:-

1)     They were trained to exercise prayer & faith in those times and were transformed in the periods of waiting.

2)     The children that they were waiting for, grew up to be mighty giants of Faith who did exploits for the Lord. Great things take time to forge in the Lord’s hands.

And as Rom 8:28 says, all things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called to His purpose.

Wait on the Lord and Keep His Way ! And He shall exalt you to inherit the land - Psa 37:34 - Be patient, dear friend, in the times when you are waiting. Do not depart from the way of the Lord and He shall honor your patience with an eternal reward ! Lam 3:25-26 reminds us that the Lord is good to those who wait for him. Wait on the Lord and hope in His word ! (Psa 130:5). And He shall turn to you and hear your cry!

God Bless !

Promise of Peace

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Across all religions, across all strata of the society, the people are universally seeking for peace. They attempt to satisfy this thirst for peace, more than often, with a counterfeit substitute {E.g. Religious works, meditation & yoga, entertainment, drugs, alcohol, porn, and such} which does not and cannot satisfy the human spirit with the peace that it yearns for. To such a people does the precious promise of the Lord Jesus come - My peace I give to you. Not as the World gives ! This is one of the most precious promises in the word of God and my prayer is that all of us enjoy the various facets of this precious peace.

1. Peace With God

The first reason for our lack of peace is that we are not at peace with God. We are created for fellowship with God and till we are right with Him and till we enjoy that fellowship with Him, our inner being is designed to feel that lack of peace. The bible says : all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). The sin in us separates us from God - because God is Holy & righteous and he cannot wink his eyes on evil. Isa 57:20-21 compares the wicked to a troubled sea which cannot rest and which brings forth dirt and mud. The Lord says: there is no peace to the wicked.

But the lord doesn't want us to remain without peace. You see, He is a compassionate God who wants to draw the entire humanity to himself. He doesn't want you to perish without peace! (2 Pet 3:9) So He made the provision for peace by sending His son Jesus Christ to us (John 3:16). He is indeed our peace and through His perfect sacrifice on the cross where He bore our sins and bore the punishment of our sins instead of us, He has broken down the wall of partition and enmity between God and Man - so that whoever repents and believes in Him shall have eternal life and peace. Pls read the blessed verses of Eph 2:13-17. If only you would believe, the Lord says: you can have the power to become the sons of God. John 1:12.

What are the steps to come into this peace ?

a) Accept the fact that your conscience is saying : that you are a sinner

b) Believe that Jesus bore your sins and died for you and by believing in his sacrifice, you'll receive the gift of eternal life and peace with God

c) Choose to live daily in communion & Obedience with God and His word to continue the Christian walk.

2. Peace Of God

Even after you are at peace with God, the Lord doesn't promise a life which is a bed of roses. As the lives of saints testify to us all over the world, and according to the words of our Lord Jesus : John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Psa 34:19 says: many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord shall deliver him from them all.

Surely we shall have tribulation while we are here in this world - but the Lord reminds us that it is not the end of the story. He says: IN HIM, you will have peace even while you are being troubled in this world. Jesus has overcome the world - and Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in this world.

Dear child of God, you may be in a season of trouble, of sickness, of dejection, of family problems, of disappointments, of persecution, of inexplicable trials, dark nights which seem to have no end. But here's the promise that our God is giving you.

(Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Amplified bible says : And God's peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

Make your requests known with prayer & thanksgiving. And the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding (a contra-logical, supernatural peace) will flood your hearts and keep you stable through your season of trial.

Wherever you stand with the Lord, I pray that the Lord will help you today with a peace from the throne of heaven. Firstly make peace with God. Secondly allow His peace to minister to you in the season of trial.

God bless you!

Wholeheartedness In Christ

2 Cor 11:2-3 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

One of the Lord's greatest desires for His Disciples is that He should occupy the throne of our heart - that our focus should be on Him and Him alone. The word "simplicity in Christ" refers to a  single-mindedness & wholeheartedness to our Lord Jesus. Paul says: There's so much that's happening in this present world which he is afraid will take our focus away from Jesus. Modern religion tries to add onto the cross of Jesus and even modern worship may detract the saint from his focus on Jesus & His sacrifice. In trying to perfect the form, people end up marring the spirit.

The following are six aspects of the wholeheartedness that God requires in our approach to Him:

1) SEEK HIM -  So that He may reveal himself to you

Man was created for fellowship with God and He comes seeking us more than often and He honors the earnest seeking and the desire of our heart to be joined in fellowship with Him. In Jer. 29:13, the Lord gives a simple promise - that if you seek Him, you will find Him if you seek with all your heart. Read Jer 29:11-14 for the full context of this verse). In Heb 11:5-6, the Lord reminds us that He is indeed a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Dear friends, are you seeking him earnestly ? Is your cry for Him causing the creator to stop in His steps and take note of your prayers ? Let's decide to be intentional in seeking our Lord.

2) RETURN TO HIM - to again enjoy His compassion & Blessing

How often have we departed from the narrow way and how often , like sheep , we go astray. Yet the Lord looks for us as the Father in the story of the prodigal son, who saw the son from afar and ran to him to embrace him. In Joel 2:12-14 , we read of the nation which went far from the Lord. Yet the lord promises to shower his blessing on such a people if they return to Him with all their heart. Isaiah 30:15 says: In returning and rest shall ye be saved !

A repentant & faithful heart always has the attention of our lord Jesus. So let's repent of our backslidings & turn once again to Him.

3) LOVE HIM - and enjoy the sweetest relation with Him

Christianity is a way of life that endorses Love & Relation with the Lord God more than works and sweat for Him. It's possible to work for the lord without love - but the Lord will consider that to be dead works. In Mark 12:28-30, the Lord says that the first and greatest commandment for the disciple is to Love the Lord with all our heart. In Rev 2:2-4 , we read about an active and excellent church. But the Lord reprimands the church at Ephesus for being a church that has lost the first love for the lord and He warns them to "repent" and come back to the original state of being a church full of the initial passion & love for them lord. Friend, have you strayed from that blessed state ? 

4) PRAISE HIM - and receive His presence & victory

Ps. 9:1 says that His wonderful works are revealed to those who praise Him with all their hearts. In  Matt 21:16, the Lord says: out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, He has perfected praise. In the parallel old testament reference, the Lord says: Praise is strength ordained. Judah means praise - (Gen 29:35) and because he praises, He shall receive the victory against all His enemies. (Gen 49:8). When King Jehoshaphat of Judah was surrounded by enemies, He appointed a praise session and the Lord supernaturally defeated his enemies. Friends, how often have we seen the enemy melt away when we start praising the Lord in spirit.

5) TRUST HIM -  To receive the guidance in our steps

Trusting the Lord with all your heart is the ultimate test of your consecration & love for the lord. With that comes the risk of being mocked, receiving the ridicule of men & the risk of massive failures. But Prov. 3:5-6 reminds us that if you trust him with all your heart, the Lord shall direct our steps. How often do we come to the valley of decision, and how graciously our savior directs our steps because we trusted in Him and didn't lean on worldly wisdom or our own desires. The bible is full of godly men who have been at this place and who received victory because they held onto the will of God. This, dear friends, is the faith & wholeheartedness that He desires in us.

6) SERVE HIM - and receive the favor of the Lord

Rom 12:11 says: Don't be slothful in business - whatever you are doing, even in the secular field, do it as though you are doing it for the Lord. Be fervent in your spirit and in your desires for the Lord. And serve the Lord. Every christian is called to serve and minister to the lord with all his heart. The work of the kingdom has been given to us and he desires that we'll perform it with a ready heart and right spirit.

May the Lord grant us the simple wholeheartedness In Christ always! God bless!

Being Washed By the Word of God

Eph 5:25-27 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

As the days go by and as we draw one step closer to the coming of the Lord Jesus, this verse from Paul reminds us that we need to constantly be washed by the Word of God in order for us (i.e. the Church) to be glorious. Dear friend, it is so important that we become closer to the Word of God - As Jesus says: His Words are Spirit & Life. In the Old testament, we see a bronze basin in the design of the Tabernacle, which served two functions.. a) the mirrored base (Ex 38:8) made from the polished mirrors of women of Israel b) and water for the purpose of washing. The Word of God also serves this very same ministry in our lives.

1. Word of God reveals our need for cleansing

In James 1:22-24 , the Lord exhorts us to be not just hearers of the Word but doers and He compares the Word to a mirror which can reveal the dirt in our lives. It's like we approach a wash basin and look at the mirror to see the areas which need cleansing. Men may deceive themselves into thinking that they are living fine, when all the while, they are out of connection with God. It's only when we see the sin in our lives as God sees them, that we cry out to the Lord to save us from our sin. Only when we are aware of the sin are we aware of the need for a saviour in our life. The world around us deceives itself to think that Sin is normal, but the Lord discerns the heart and deals with each of us according to what He sees therein. (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It's only when we acknowledge our sinful state that we receive grace & forgiveness from Him. (Psa 32:5 , Psa 51:3-4).

Proverbs 30:12 reminds us that there is a group of people who are pure in their own eyes and yet, are not washed from their filthiness. As the word reveals our sin & faults, remember, we don't have to go anywhere else to be washed from our sin. The Word of God washes us.

2. The Word of God washes us and make us glorious (Eph 5:26-27)

The Lord Jesus said - John 13:8 - If I do not wash you, you have no part along with me! It's crucial for us to allow the Word of God to wash us and prepare us to be glorious, holy & undefiled. In the Old testament form of worship, we see that literally everything had to be washed before it was used of God. The priests, the sacrifices, etc needed washing. (Lev 8:6,21).

Dear friend, Whatever be your past, if you admit your sins and turn to the Lord Jesus, He can cleanse you and wash you and make you as a vessel fit for the master's use. As we are being washed by the blood of Jesus and as we allow the Word to wash us in our times of daily devotion with the Lord, He shall impart the divine nature to us (2 Peter 1:3-4)  - Our ways will change and we will be made prepared for our eternal destiny for Kingdom & Glory.

As we commit to this in our hearts, may the Lord bless you and make you experience the realities of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 91 - A Covenant of God's protection

Among all the psalms, I know of few others which have been such a constant source of encouragement and security for one who believes in the one true Living God and His son Jesus Christ. We Christians are a motley bunch - We claim to be children of the living God, yet we face much insecurity in our lives. I have to confess I too sometimes fall prey to the lies of satan and live in a state where I am ignorant of my position in Christ and my covenant rights. The word of God is filled with so many references which remind us to fear not , but to trust in His promises. And today, I'd like to travel through this blessed psalm and understand the precious security that this word offers us. The Lord Jesus says : my words are spirit and life (John 6:63). As we go through this Psalm , I request you to take these words literally and apply them to your lives. God loves it when we take Him at the face value and trust Him.

The qualification for protection

(Ps 91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I wish I could say that the Lord's promises are unconditional, But they are often not. Here, we see a very easy way to enter into the protection of our Lord! We need to be one who lives in the secret place of our Lord Jesus. They shall abide in the shadow of the almighty. For a new covenant believer, this takes on a new meaning. Col 3:1-3 reminds us that If we are risen with Christ, seek the things which are above. Set your affection, your desires, on the things in heaven - not on the things on this earth. Be heavenly minded - not earthly minded. Don't be a friend of this world - be a friend of God. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. If we are born again, baptized and living in the light, as per this verse, the Lord says : we are dwelling in the secret place of the most high. and to such a person, He promises, that We shall be under the shadow of the almighty. Remember, when the children of Israel had gone through the wilderness on their journey, The Lord was the share - the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. This is the blessedness that the Lord desires for us too. The verse (Hos 14:7) reminds us "They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof [shall be] as the wine of Lebanon.".

The covenant promise of protection

(Ps 91:2) I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

For one who has thus received the covenant of protection from the Lord, our first response is one of acknowledging Him as the Lord and saying that Lord indeed, you are my refuge and none else. The word "Fortress" means an impenetrable castle defense. Indeed when we are in Christ, the enemy cannot come into our lives and go out at will. The Lord is the stronghold and defense. Indeed, the righteous run into Him and they are safe. Oh what peace we often forfeit because we don't take our fears and insecurities to Him in the time of our need. Like the psalmist says: My soul flees as a bird unto the mountain that He is. (Ps 18:2) The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. What an amazing God we serve.

The protection from the traps of the enemy and pestilence

(Ps 91:3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.

Surely - Surely - Surely - He shall deliver thee. Let's get this into our hearts. If the Lord says surely - He means surely. Oh how numerous are the snares that the evil one and his evil men have laid for the beloved of the Lord ?! Yet, the Lord promises to deliver us from all of those. Psa 124:7 says: Our soul is escaped as a bird fleeing from the snare of the fowler ; The snare is broken and we are escaped. Bless the Lord - oh Ye His children. For more encouragement: Read these verses.  Ps 141:9; Job 5:19; Ps 119:110; Prov 6:5;

The complete 360 degree protection

(Ps 91:4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.

What a picture ! the Lord shall cover us. Isaiah 31:5 says: As birds flying, the Lord shall preserve Jerusalem, and deliver and preserve it in passing over it.

Let's focus on the second part - His truth is our shield and buckler. The buckler is a shield which offers a surrounding protection (or a 360 degree protection). Another version reminds us that His Faithfulness is my shield and rampart. Friends, His word, His truth and His faithfulness are what forms our spiritual armor. He shall protect and deliver us.

The constant 24/7 protection

(Ps 91:5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;(Ps 91:6) [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

Oh the night time when the forces of evil are waxing strong and the wild beasts come forth. Yet, for us, the Lord reminds us that we are to trust Him. His command (not his suggestion or feel-good remark) is to Fear Not !! The night has no power over us. In Christ is the fountain of life and by His light, we see the light and darkness shall flee before the presence of the light. Son 3:8 gives us the value of our spiritual sword - the Word of God - in the times of terror. Because of the night, the soldier of the Lord is expected to keep his sword near to him. Indeed he shall sleep peacefully (Prov 3:24) because of the sword that is near to him. The Word gives us the offensive and defensive weapons in our spiritual war against the enemy. While the enemy tries to attack us during all the 4 watches of the 24-hour day, the Lord says : don't worry about the terror or the arrow or the pestilence or the destruction. He is indeed our defense. His eyes are on us - and He is in control 24/7.

The protection even amidst the destruction happening around

(Ps 91:7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.

When we see the mass destruction happening around the world - be not afraid. The lord says: it shall not come near to thee.

The end of the wicked

(Ps 91:8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

The righteous become weary in seeing the flourishing wickedness and the wicked agents. But the Lord reminds us - that we shall indeed behold the punishment of the wicked. They shall be no more. When the wicked are multiplied, sin abounds, but the righteous shall see their fall. Asaph struggled with this - When he saw the wicked flourishing, He went to the sanctuary of the Lord and understood their end destiny of condemnation, consumption and destruction.

The protection for His temple - His household

(Ps 91:9) Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;(Ps 91:10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Another conditional blessing. Have we made Him our dwelling place ? our habitation ? If so, NO evil shall befall you nor a plague come near your dwelling. Because, guess what, it's the Lord's dwelling. We are the household of God and we are His holy temple. Deut 33:27 reminds us :  The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

 

The Supernatural protection

(Ps 91:11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.(Ps 91:12) They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

In the modern world of skepticism and unbelief (even among the believers), it's tough to believe in the angelic ministry. But the fact is : We all have atleast 2, probably more, angels assigned to us as we go about our day to day life. I have personally enjoyed such protection so often, amidst accidents and mishaps, when I might have been taken from the world, the Lord graciously gave back my life. I believe it was the angelic ministry. Heb 1:14 reminds us that angels are ministering spirits who are sent forth to minister to them who are heirs of salvation. (That is, they are sent forth to minister to US!) Ever seen a prince go to school ? He will be accompanied by soldiers and plain clothesmen because he is of royal blood. And remember, when we are a disciple of Christ, the royal blood of the king of kings and Lord of Lords flows through us. Yes, what further excuse do we have to fear?

Not just defensive - but offensive

(Ps 91:13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Is this even real ? What an audacious promise ! Yet, it's the word of God. In the spirit or even in the physical realm, when our life demands such an action from us, the Lord shall enable us to do this. We shall tread upon the forces of darkness and we shall shake and do damage to the kingdom of darkness.

The son of man has already crushed the head of the serpent and the remaining victory is reserved for us - the church. Rom 16:20 says : The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you !

Daniel in the lions den was more powerful than the lions - because the Lord was with Him. Paul in acts 28:5 was more powerful than the viper because the royal blood was coursing through him.

The sure deliverance

(Ps 91:14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.(Ps 91:15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Friends, everything in the kingdom of God is based on the relation that we have with Jesus Christ. Because we have set our love on Jesus, therefore He shall deliver us. Simple ! Because we have known His name, He shall set us on high.

If only we call out to Him, He shall answer us !

Do Christians have trouble ? Yes, we do. Salvation is not a guarantee against troubles. But the Lord promises that He SHALL be with us in trouble. AND he shall deliver us and HE shall HONOR us ! What an awesome God !And every disciple worth his salt will proclaim that the real life changing moments were those times that they had trouble. They walked away from their troubles with great treasures of darkness. (the treasures you can't get any other way !!)

Is the hand of the Lord shortened or His ears dulled against our cries ? Never. If we yield to a broken cry to Him, He shall answer from His throne.

The Eternal promise

(Ps 91:16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

with eternal life (not just a long life here on earth) - in the house of God - in the constant presence of the living God - shall he satisfy us ! and he shall bring us to the fullness of His salvation. Not a promise that ends with this world, but an eternal promise that spills over into all of eternity.

My prayer for us

As we read these verses, let the words become a part of you. Let it encourage you and build you up to make you into the man or woman of God that He has destined you to be. May the Lord establish you and strengthen you and settle you into a life of abounding fruitfulness forever. May the Lord break off the yokes and burdens of fear and insecurity and inadequacy to set you free and set you apart for his purposes.

God bless you much.

PS: Personally I pray-read this psalm DAILY and I find it such a blessing and it has been the source of deliverance throughout my faith life. I'd like to encourage you also to do the same and experience the real power of the Lord and His matchless word in your lives. Bless you.