Loren Seibold & John McLarty | 31 August 2022 Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. He appears in person only once— in Genesis 14—but is referred to again in Psalm 110 and at length in Hebrews 7. But who was Melchizedek? All we know from Genesis is that he is […] Source: https://atoday.org/atss-presents-the-mysterious-melchizedek-his-successors/
Tuesday: David: An Object Lesson in Waiting
In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, we see the young lad David anointed by Samuel as king. However, it was a long journey from the fields of his father, Jesse, to the throne in Jerusalem. No doubt, at times he felt in the midst of a crucible.
First, the lad is called to play music to soothe Saul’s troubled spirit (1 Samuel 16:1-23). Later, he becomes Israel’s hero as he kills Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58). Then there are many years during which David is running for his life.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Both Saul and his son Jonathan know that David is destined to be the next king (1 Samuel 23:17, 1 Samuel 24:20). But David does nothing to advance his God-given destiny. In fact, he appears to do the opposite. Even when Saul tried to kill him and David snipped a piece of cloth off the king’s robe, he wished he had never done such a thing (1 Samuel 24:5-7). Again when Saul is trying to kill David, David refuses to kill Saul when the opportunity arises (1 Samuel 26:7-11).
Read 1 Samuel 26:1-11. Why does David refuse to kill Saul? What principles does this teach us about the way God brings about His plans for our lives?
Now read 1 Samuel 26:12-25. How does David’s refusal to kill Saul affect Saul? What does this teach us about the advantages of waiting for God?
Looking at the whole of David’s road to the throne, we could perhaps summarize it in a short sentence — don’t grab what God has not yet given. God’s gifts are always best received from His hand and in His time. This may require a very long time of waiting. Bean sprouts may literally grow up within hours, while an oak tree will take many years. But then when the strong winds come, the tree will not be uprooted.
| Think how easily David could have justified killing Saul. (After all, David was told he’d have the throne, and Saul was so evil anyway.) Yet, his actions speak of true faith in God. What might you be able to draw from this example for yourself in whatever you might be waiting for? |
Amen!
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-david-object-lesson-in-waiting/
Monday: In God’s Time
Read Romans 5:6 and Galatians 4:4. What do they tell us about God’s timing?
In these verses, Paul tells us that Jesus came to die for us at exactly the right time. But Paul does not tell us why it was the right time. It is very easy to read these verses and wonder,
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Why did Jesus wait for thousands of years until He came to the earth to deal with sin — didn’t the universe understand that sin was a very bad thing long before then? We may ask why Jesus is waiting to come the second time also. We may also ask, Why is the Lord waiting so long to answer my prayer?
Think about, for instance, the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, the prophecy that points to Jesus as the Messiah (review it if you need to). How long was this time period? What does this tell you about learning to wait for things in God’s time, even if it takes what seems to us a long time?
There are many important spiritual reasons why we will experience waiting times. First, waiting can refocus our attention away from “things” and back to God Himself. Second, waiting allows us to develop a clearer picture of our own motives and desires. Third, waiting builds perseverance — spiritual stamina. Fourth, waiting opens the door to developing many spiritual strengths, such as faith and trust. Fifth, waiting allows God to put down other pieces in the puzzle of the bigger picture. Sixth, we may never know the reason we have to wait; hence, we learn to live by faith. Can you think of any other reasons for waiting?
| What examples can you find in the Bible of God’s doing things in His own time that can help you learn to trust that He will do for you what’s right in His own time, as well? (Think, for instance, about Abraham and Sarah and the promise of a son.) At the same time, ask yourself, “What might I be doing that could be delaying the answer to a prayer that could have been answered long ago?” |
Amen!(0)
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El mundo post-covid quiere compromiso comunitario y justicia social, no más reuniones
La primera parte de esta semana la pasé en una conferencia con pastores adventistas comprometidos con el compromiso comunitario y el trabajo enfocado en la justicia social. Fue un momento estimulante estar rodeado de líderes con ideas afines que no se conforman con modelos anticuados y una apariencia de que las cosas funcionan. No había […] Source: https://atoday.org/el-mundo-post-covid-quiere-compromiso-comunitario-y-justicia-social-no-mas-reuniones/
Sunday: The God of Patience
Read Romans 15:4-5. What is found in these verses for us?
We are normally impatient about things that we really want or have been promised but don’t have yet. We are often satisfied only when we get what we are longing for. And because we rarely get what we want when we want it, it means that we are often doomed to irritation and impatience. And when we are in this state, it is almost impossible to maintain a peace and trust in God.
mage © Bjorn Thorkelson from GoodSalt.com
Waiting is painful by definition. In Hebrew, one of the words for “wait patiently” (Psalm 37:7, NKJV) comes from a Hebrew word that can be translated “to be much pained,” “to shake,” “to tremble,” “to be wounded,” “to be sorrowful.” Learning patience is not easy; sometimes it’s the very essence of what it means to be in the crucible.
Read Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7, and Romans 5:3-5. What are these verses saying to us? What does patience lead to?
While we wait, we can concentrate on one of two things. We can focus on the things that we are waiting for, or we can focus on the One who holds those things in His hands. What makes such a difference when we wait for something isn’t so much how long we have to wait, but our attitude while we wait. If we trust the Lord, if we have placed our lives in His hands, if we have surrendered our wills to Him, then we can trust that He will do what’s best for us when it’s best for us, no matter how hard it is sometimes to believe it.
| What things are you desperately waiting for? How can you learn to surrender everything to God and to His timing? Pray your way into an attitude of complete surrender and submission to the Lord. |
Amen!(0)
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