THE DESERT OF WAITING

THE DESERT OF WAITING!

Luke 1:80

80 And the child [John the Baptist] grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

           Zacharias prophesied regarding his son that he would be the prophet of the Highest! This was a lofty destiny for John but when we get to verse 80 we see what we so often see in the lives of God’s chosen – we see waiting! First John had to endure time in the deserts eating locust and wild honey in solitude.

           The desert place in the life of disciples is located between seasons of ministry! Perhaps you feel that you are in a desert now. For some reason God has prepared you and polished you but has chosen to set you aside for a time you can’t yet see. Perhaps you are enduring a dry place dining on less than the best. You are anxious and you cry out to God “Let’s get this show on the road!”

           Did Moses ever wonder how long he would have to tend sheep in the wilderness of Midian? Did Joseph ever wonder if he would die in prison? Did David wonder while in the cave of Adulam if he would ever be King?

           It seems that God takes all of us through these times of darkness, dryness, dullness, dreariness, and dread. You are not alone my friend. Look around and see if any of these champions left you some words of hope scrawled on the walls! (James Ryle)

           Down time for God’s servants is either for rest from ministry done or preparation for ministry yet to come. Reward comes later and that reward is sure. If you are in the desert of waiting, rest and prepare yourself for what God has ahead.

Dear Lord, sometimes the desert convinces us that you are done with us. Help us to wait patiently for your direction. AMEN

FINISH IT

FINISH IT!

Phil 4:7

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

           My desk is stacked with half finished projects. I dare not clear the clutter for fear that I will upset some project which must then be started over. It is a shameful admission, I know, but I suspect many of you can relate to this. I think it is because a new project is presented to me before the old one is done. This happens so often that soon I am hopelessly behind in my work.

           Paul, writing to the Philippians, urges them to finish the process of discipleship. They had been taught sound principles from the Bible and had seen them practiced by their teacher. Now it was time to do what they knew to do. The little word “do” is the Greek word prasso and means: “to practice repeatedly; to accomplish; to finish.”  Are you practicing repeatedly and habitually all the “Christianity” that you have been taught? The Apostles were given one final command before Jesus returned to His Father. We know it as The Great Commission.

Matt 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

James Ryle relates a story of Leonardo Da Vinci and one of his students. The Master had prepared a canvas, mixed the palette, sketched in the picture of what he was going to paint, and began applying his brush to the work — laying in colors and tones, shadings and hues that brought the sketch to life with every stroke.

Then, without any warning, Da Vinci turned to his student and handed him the palette and brush, saying, "You finish it." The student was taken back. "Your greatness," he said in true humility, "I cannot even presume to finish your work." And Da Vinci replied, "Will not what I have done inspire you to do your very best?"

Dear Lord, let me be inspired by your work and your sacrifice so that I may finish my assignment here. AMEN

MOSES EXAMPLE

MOSES’ EXAMPLE!

Heb 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

           Suckled by his own mother who received wages for her service, Moses was raised as the found child of Pharaoh’s daughter. As an Egyptian prince, he was privileged and probably pampered. He received the very best of everything including education and military training. It was a lifestyle that would have been hard to abandon.

           We are not told just how Moses learned that he was a Jew and not an Egyptian but we strongly suspect it was at his own mother’s knee. Doubtless, she told him the story of his own rescue from the cruel order to murder all male Jewish babies. It was not a good time to be a Jew. As he looked about he wore the garments of Egypt but he saw life through Jewish eyes. At least four key words are listed in our text above.

           Moses refused (verse 24). He disavowed his Egyptian upbringing to align himself with his Jewish heritage even though it meant participating in their suffering as slave laborers.

Moses chose! This, no doubt, created confusion for both Egyptians and Jews. It was hard for either camp to identify Moses. Ultimately Moses identified himself when he killed one of the Egyptian tormentors although he did not receive the gratitude he expected (see Exodus 2:12-14).

           Moses esteemed (verse verse 26). The word “esteem” is the Greek word hegeomai and basically means “to consider.” Moses wrestled with his options and ultimately valued his heritage to be more valuable than Egypt’s treasures. This is not the reasoning of economy. It is the reasoning of faith.

           Moses had respect (verse 26). The word “respect” is the Greek word apoblepo which means “to look away from everything else.” The idea is to focus on a goal or prize. Oh, how we need this kind of focus in our Christian lives.

Dear Lord, let me carefully consider my Christian heritage as greater riches than all of earth’s treasures. AMEN