MY TURN
April 30, 2020
Prayer: Pray for patience so that we will be willing to wait for the Lord’s timing to bring the answer to our deepest needs.
Scripture: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:5 KJV
Most of the students had their hands in the air and eagerly waited a turn. A few seemed more impatient than the rest. They would get clearly upset every time I chose someone else. They became so impatient that they failed to help the class sing the song that accompanied this favorite jump rope game. Even though I tried to give as many children a chance as I could, sometimes we had to stop the game before they got a turn. Sometimes these same children would sit and pout through the rest of the class time, missing out on all that they should have been learning.
How contented are we to wait on God for something we want? Do we allow it to interfere with our living and learning for the time until we see our prayers answered? Or do we totally trust God and cheerfully wait His time? We don’t achieve this mature characteristic easily. A Puritan writer, Jeremiah Burroughs, in his book, “The Jewel of Christian Contentment” likens us to a disquieted child who will not be still and wait. God often will wait for us to quiet ourselves in trust and faith before He will act on our behalf. He works in us more than what we can presently see. One of His goals for us is contentment.
Today, as you observe impatient children, remind yourself that we all act like that to some degree and that God wants to change us and create in us a quiet spirit, even when He intends to supply that for which we pray. Allow His grace to give you His joy, faith, patience, surrender, and peace.
Copyright Shirley Wilson. Email [email protected]