The idea of waiting upon the Lord can be vexing if the wait goes on too long. In our era, we want it NOW! Patience is not only a virtue; it's a gracious blessing of God.
We see in the Genesis passage how Abram has become impatient as God;s promise has gone on for years with nothing to show. Yet, after getting testy, Abram turns back to his faith in God to fulfill the pormise made. That makes Abram unique in his righteousness, and a model of faithfulness for all people in all times.
Much can happen in that waiting. A faithful patience over God's longer course is one of the ways that God grows our faith and spirit, teaching us to trust in God;s providence.
Jesus has an encounter with some friendly Pharisees who warn him that he's made King Herod's hit list. Jesus brushes off this threat.
But then Jesus bemoans the climate and culture of Jerusalem, the killer of God's prophets and corrupt center for worldly power machinations. Jesus reflects on Jerusalem as a symbol of the inheritance of Abram and the faithful covenant of God with his people over the years. Its ancient promise has been voided. Unwilling to submit to God, God's people conform to the worldly designs of their leaders and the heirs are empty-handed in the end.
There are plenty of lessons for us as we seek to grow better in discerning God's promise, recognizing that our desires are not the same as God's promise. We need to be open to the many ways God can bless beyond our imaginings.
There is plenty more. Check out the sermon video below, and note the downloads below the video panel.
We see in the Genesis passage how Abram has become impatient as God;s promise has gone on for years with nothing to show. Yet, after getting testy, Abram turns back to his faith in God to fulfill the pormise made. That makes Abram unique in his righteousness, and a model of faithfulness for all people in all times.
Much can happen in that waiting. A faithful patience over God's longer course is one of the ways that God grows our faith and spirit, teaching us to trust in God;s providence.
Jesus has an encounter with some friendly Pharisees who warn him that he's made King Herod's hit list. Jesus brushes off this threat.
But then Jesus bemoans the climate and culture of Jerusalem, the killer of God's prophets and corrupt center for worldly power machinations. Jesus reflects on Jerusalem as a symbol of the inheritance of Abram and the faithful covenant of God with his people over the years. Its ancient promise has been voided. Unwilling to submit to God, God's people conform to the worldly designs of their leaders and the heirs are empty-handed in the end.
There are plenty of lessons for us as we seek to grow better in discerning God's promise, recognizing that our desires are not the same as God's promise. We need to be open to the many ways God can bless beyond our imaginings.
There is plenty more. Check out the sermon video below, and note the downloads below the video panel.
| 02-21-16-ff-answers.pdf |
| 02-21-16-awaiting_gods_promise.pdf |