What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for?

Psalm 27.14

Human beings are not by nature patient creatures. Hard wired into our DNA and tied to our own ego centric desires is to get what we want when we want it. Babies express this through wailing. Toddlers express their agenda through temper tantrums. Teens exclaim that most wonderful phrase with rolled eyes – “WHATEVER!”

Adults have it all figured out. Come on by now we’ve learned our lesson, right? We may not cry, stomp, or roll our eyes (in public) but we do allow our impatience to impact our attitude, actions, and stress levels. Think this through and you may come to the same conclusion – We do not like to wait!

The One who made us knows this flaw in our human wiring. This may be why He consistently (daily) places us in situations requiring waiting. It is through waiting we discover we are not in control. It is also through waiting that we can discover He is still in control.

Waiting does not have to be a negative thing. It can be very productive. David wrote, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” The Hebrew word used in this song is transliterated “qavah” and is translated into English as wait, but in Latin another of her meanings rolls off the tongue. The Latin word equivalent is “expecta” or expect!

You see when you wait on people you may get frustrated, but when you wait on the Lord you can have a hopeful expectation. Expect the Lord to act – he will. Expect the Lord to move – he can. Expect the Lord to do the miraculous – it is in his power.

Let me suggest a formula for successful expectant waiting upon the Lord. Here’s an acrostic I’ve written for “WAIT” it will describe what to do the next time you have to wait.

W-Weep to God in Prayer

A-Anticipate God’s Miracle

I-Investigate the Scriptures

T-Trust the Timing of God

“Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Fill ‘er Up!

Psalm 23.5

Thirsty and tired you stumble into the encampment. Unsure of your welcome by the nomadic assembly of shepherds but you are exhausted. To your surprise you are warmly greeted and quickly taken into the shade of a waiting tent. The first sense of refreshment has now become apparent to you. At least you are out of the heat.

In the middle of the desert the most precious thing is not silver or gold but H20. Carefully each sip is measured and rationed for the preservation of the community. But now you are in need. So the glass is brought to you.

One of the amazing things in the culture you’ve stumbled into is the sense of hospitality and service for one in need. Every time you take a sip from the cup, no matter how much you drink, immediately your cup is filled to the brim again. Amazing how generosity can feel to one in need.

There is still a custom today among these Jewish herdsmen that expresses the heart of grace. The cup is placed on the ground in front of the guest. Then the water pitcher is brought to fill the cup. The water is carefully poured to the brim and then increase to gently flowing over the top down the sides and allowed to pool at the base of the glass. The image signifies that your host is prepared to give you all the resources he has in order to meet your need. While under the protection of your host you will know no lack at all.

Through the blood of Jesus our savior you have been brought near. Through his sacrifice you who were far off have been allowed to come into the tent of the Almighty. He has brought you in and sits you down and …“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

It’s all yours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman

Joy Will Return

Psalm 51.8

Every time without exception that my eyes fall upon the 51^st Psalm I stand in absolute awe of the grace of the Almighty. You know the background to this famous Psalm – it is described for us in the prelude as the response to the confrontation David experienced because of his known sin. This psalm gives to us a pattern for true repentance for our sins.

There is something else here that makes me marvel at our Lord’s love. It is the simple fact that if David could be forgiven of his multiple sins produced by this event then we have hope. Even more than that not only did he receive forgiveness he also came away restored.

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me-- now let me rejoice…Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you…Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. (8,12,14).

Do you see the pathway to victory? Repent – confess all your sins to the Lord. He already knows them all but he is looking for you to be honest with yourself. Rejoice – you’ve been treated with mercy and goodness and grace by the Lord Jesus. Paul reminded us in Romans that where sin increased grace increases much more – now you can shout! Restore – you do not have to stay down, stay depressed, and stay pitiful. Since the Father has restored you to usefulness and productivity stay available to him.

Joy will return! It’s a promise of the Lord.

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman