The Answer That Came Late

02 Dec The Answer That Came Late

Posted at 10:57h in English Service, Featured by Preacher Huijun 0 Comments

Pastor Vincent - 10 October 2013

Follow The Lord's Instruction Closely In Spiritual Battle

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It is human nature to worry about tomorrow. What if I can't do this, what if things don't work well tomorrow.. what if we often let what has yet to happen to rob away our present happiness in Lord. Before Jericho, the Lord said to Joshua, " See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.." God is always there, He is always present in your sadness, your current helplessness, your current family problem, relationship problems and even your insufficiency. But we often forget, we are often being frightened by what have yet to comeÉ the what if's in your mind - Satan is always instilling the fear, the deceptions and confuse our spirits so that we cannot look at the truth of God and draw strength from it. Behind the problem we are seeing everyday is actually the deeper spiritual battles that we need to fight against Satan - who is attacking us in every possible way just to divert us away from God's truth so that we feel the gospel irrelevant. But God has a precise instruction to our problems now, so that we can stand against the devil's scheme. Be in sync with God, hear what the Lord says and follow it carefully. As we wait upon the Lord and see what He is doing right now in our lives, we will then not be distracted by Satan into following our own desires and emotions. The Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise and He has time for everything, therefore, go into prayer and ask God to reveal the very next thing we can do while waiting for His timetable. As we develop the instinct to hear Him through prayers, our faithful God will not hide from you and when the perfect time comes, your Jericho will be conquered, as you become more intimate with God.

From Series: "All English Service"

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Waiting is usually agonizing for most people. And often when we are made to wait, we tend to feel that God has singled us out for this unwanted process and we always ask, “Why me, Lord? How long, O Lord?” Yet, waiting is a frequent lesson observed in the Bible. In fact, “wait” could be the most precious answer God has given us. For during the wait, we are forced to confront this question: “What is our chief treasure and joy?” Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself”? If our chief joy lies in the final outcome at the end of the wait, then we will surely be miserable during the wait; but if our highest delight is in the Lord, who is present with us even right now, our hearts will find strength as we wait.

Verses to read:
<Gen 21:1-7>

1. The Lord did just as He had promised.

Faithful.
Did the impossible.
God will make us laugh, eventually.

2. But it takes time…

1) Understand what God does in the waiting process.

Repeatedly affirms His promise.
Waits till all human factors failed.

***We are most concerned about the outcome, but what God values more is the process of moulding the recipient.

Wants us to desire God more than a son [or any other desire].

***Something actually happens when nothing seems to be happening.

Before the most important answer comes, there needs to be better preparation.

***“Wait” could be the most precious answer God gives us. The wait can make us cherish God more than cherishing a particular outcome.

2) Our response during the wait.

Continue to wait for God, even if nothing or the opposite of what we hope for happens.
Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” <Jn 5:17>
Our faith in His goodness today can help us trust His faithfulness tomorrow.
Let our waiting be a testimony.
Give thanks that God is a “waiting” God.
Confirm little graces >>> restore greater faith.
Seek out what God wants us to submit.
<Ps 118:24> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [ESV]
Do not take shortcuts.

***What is our chief treasure and joy?

***Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself?

3. Our response after receiving the long-awaited answer is important.

Obedience.
Persistent trust in God.

Reflections:

Share your experience in your waiting process. How do you sustain your faith and hope?
How have you confirmed God’s work even when things appear contrary to God’s truth/promises?

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Preacher Hui Jun

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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.