James 5:10-12
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
Yesterday we talked about trying to press God for things when He wants us to wait on His timing. But what about when you're going thru something and you're waiting for Him to act? How is your patience then? Are you willing to trust in God to keep you from harm, or do you look to bail at the first opportunity?
Look at the prophets. Hebrews paints a pretty rosy picture of what they went through:
But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
When you're in trouble, where do you turn? Is God the first and only place you turn, or do you have a plan B?
-Jeff-
Heather said:
Plan B never works!
I have been learning this going through Bryant's illness. I know God can heal him immediately, and it is really tough having to watch while Bryant suffers, but God has been reminding me that we are not hidden from His sight. Everything is under His control. Everything happens in His perfect timing. So, I don't stop praying for Bryant to be healed, but I rest in the peace of knowing that God is in control.