02 Dec The Answer That Came Late
Deacon Hui Zhen - 5 June 2014
The Covenant Of God, Foundation Of Our Faith
The reason why we always fall back on our own strength, wits and ways to live our lives is because we have not truly understood and confirmed that the God we claim to know is indeed a true and living God, one who creates us to love us. Yet it is a journey of repeated confirming through all things that are happening in our lives, because God is always constantly revealing Himself to us through our experiences, especially failures. God was always revealing to Abraham his entire lifetime, even when he was ignorant of God's covenant; similarly, God is also doing the same thing to us today, always revealing to us through our encounters, failures and people in our lives. When we continue to seek God's presence and see how He is always inscribing the covenant deeper and deeper into our hearts, only then we will be bound by Him and desire to follow Him and live by the Spirit.
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The Answer That Came Late
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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