by Tim Hall

I don't like to wait! I'm an important person (I think), and I have appointments to keep. I shouldn't have to wait in this long line at the post office. The traffic light ought to remain green long enough for me to get through (I'll help it a little). Doesn't the doctor know that I've got better things to do with my time? I don't like to wait!

Staring me in the face, however, is this injunction from God: "Wait on the Lord." There are two ways in which this word might be used. One is the idea of serving God. The person who serves me at the restaurant is a waiter, and perhaps that's the idea involved. But these people certainly don't seem to slow down. Is that what the Lord has in mind?

The second meaning of "wait" is the more frequent one. Consider Psalm 37:7-9: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret -- it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (NKJV). Learning to slow down and patiently await the Lord's guidance is definitely the idea presented here.

There are many models of patience provided for me in the Bible. Abraham waited several years to receive God's promise of a son (Genesis 17:1-17). Joseph languished (unjustly) in prison before the butler remembered to tell Pharaoh about his remarkable abilities (Genesis 40:23-41:13). Moses lived 40 years as an obscure shepherd before God's purposes for him were made clear (Acts 7:30). Saul thought he was ready to immediately preach the faith he had tried to destroy (Acts 9:20-25); it actually took three years of reexamination of God's word before the Lord opened for him doors of opportunity (Galatians 1:18). Who knows how long the martyred saints had been waiting for vindication when they cried out "How long, O Lord?" in Revelation 6:9-11?

Who will deny that Christians living in the 21st century have a special need for patience? Our society is fast-paced. So many things call for our attention and energies. "One minute" how-to books are sure to become bestsellers, for everyone is looking for shortcuts. But are there shortcuts to spirituality and godliness (the "One Minute Bible" notwithstanding)?

Psalm 46:10 renews the call to patience in the presence of God (as do many other passages): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

"Sorry, Lord, I just don't have time to 'be still' right now. But, hey, you know I appreciate you. When I get a little time, I'll start waiting on you."

Do you suspect something wrong with an attitude like that?

Try to answer the question of the psalmist.

 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?
 Or can declare all His praise?
 (Psa. 106:2, NKJV).

 I heard a preacher speak of the amazing process of blood entering the lungs and the exchange of oxygen that takes place, demonstrating that such could only be the design of God. Why did that preacher select that example? Moreover, it was the only illustration of God's mighty acts that he used in that sermon. If he tried to declare all of the mighty acts of God, the sermon would still be going on! 

by Don Ruhl Pick any part of creation or any story in the Bible, and gaze at the work of God as He works things perfectly according to His will. No doubt, you will finally conclude the same thing that the psalmist concluded in the passage above. Our God is an awesome God.

Don Ruhl 441 Damont Street Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601-2311

by Don Ruhl

Think on Paul's three questions in First Corinthians 4:7,

 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it? (1 Cor. 4:7, NKJV).

1. First question: "For who makes you differ from another?" Answer: God. Every person is unique from the moment of conception because God has created us individually. 
   

2. Second question: "And what do you have that you did not receive?" Answer: Nothing. Every good gift and every perfect act of giving is from the Father of lights.
   

3. Third question: "Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?" If I have received everything from God, then I should glorify God and not myself. Why should I glory as if I had not received it, but got it all on my own? 
   

Therefore, whatever we do, let us do it to the glory of God.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100 Don's Corner

by Don Ruhl

 I may have mentioned this in a past e-mail devotional, but the truth is important enough to write it again. Please give your full attention to this verse, 

 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11, NKJV). 

 Many things bring people to Christ, but if He is not laid quickly as the foundation in a person's life, something will arise that will drive that person away from Christ and the church. I knew a man, who witnessed a murder, and immediately he wanted to become a Christian, but as the memory of the murder faded, so did his devotion, until he fell away completely. Another man rededicated himself to Christ after discovering that he had a brain tumor. The surgery frightened him greatly. Before and after the surgery he was a faithful Christian, but as he recovered and did well, we saw him less and less, until he fell away. 

 Therefore, friends, please be sure that Jesus Christ is the foundation of your life. Any other foundation will fail you.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100 Don's Corner