August 10, 2014
Many of us ask God how long we must wait to have an answer. Just because He isn’t showing or telling us does not mean He is testing our patience. Our patience is being tested because of our human nature of needing to know. I know a missionary who does not question and is “very” patient. She is not perfect, but in most things, she can wait patiently and know that God has perfect timing (which usually is not our timing). She prayed for her family member for fourty years before all was well. Wow!
Is it lack of faith that makes us impatient? Some might say so. My thoughts are that if we completely live in Him who calls us by name, we could endure more than we think we can. So here I sit, wanting to know what’s next. Feeling like I’m going to burst out of my skin if I don’t get to settle down in that perfect place. Yet in my head I know it’s not “my” timing but God’s. So I must wait on Him. I have no choice (other than to make a wrong decision).
What if that perfect place is within and not a physical place?
Yesterday I was reading Revelation 2, ended up in the book of John, and somehow ended up in Matthew 10:9-23. Today again, I ended up there when searching for peace. Try to follow me here:
Matthew 10:9-23 (WEB)
9 Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. 10 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. 11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. 12 As you enter into the household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. 18 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. 19 But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.
Leave everything but the clothing you have on your body. Look for a worthy person. The two sections that talk about peace pertain to the apostles going into a village and finding a worthy person to stay with. Matt 10:13 “If the home is deserving, let your “peace” rest on it; if it is not, let your “peace” return to you.
The entire section above talks about the apostles being welcomed into a village and a home or homes in the village — if not, they are to leave. I am in NO WAY saying I am an apostle, not remotely close! But the scenario is to flee to another town if the apostles are persecuted and to let Jesus deal with that town. And take your peace with you.
Huge pondering moment…
I’d love to hear your thoughts or encouragement about patience and peace. Comment below and share.
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