Based on “Under His Influence – Emptied and Filled”
by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/29-30/09,
Message #MB387;
Daily Devotional #1 - “In Times of Waiting”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
I think we can all relate to the disciples in this small passage of Scripture. They wanted so much for Jesus to bring Israel back to her former state. They wanted Rome overthrown and for Jesus to reign. They still didn’t quite understand the “big picture.”
I often wonder how they felt as they watched Jesus ascend into heaven. They knew they were to wait for the Holy Spirit, but what did that mean?
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): We often miss the big picture, too. We have an idea in our minds of how things ought to be, but most of the time our plans are much different than God’s plans. We can only see our current circumstances around us and not the “big picture.” The disciples were left on this earth, but they would not be alone and knew that they would receive the Holy Spirit. But they did not understand how receiving Him would change their lives and impact the world for Christ.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)
Upon returning, the disciples and the other followers had to wait for the promise that Jesus made. During that time they had to prepare their hearts. Times of waiting can be difficult. But the Lord wants to change us during those times.
We have a choice during those quiet times.
We can become impatient and do things in our own wisdom, or we can wait on God.
If we make the right choice to wait on God and empty ourselves of our independence and self-sufficiency, then God can fill us with His Spirit to be effective for Him. Which would you rather choose? I started thinking about the state of our country and was grieved over what has become of our nation. We are in this condition because many made the choice that man’s way is better than God’s. Is it? Our way led to greed and selfishness and as a result, things crumbled.
Even as Christians, many of us got caught up in the ways of the world.
I think we have all felt the sting of the economy. Many have lost things that were precious to us. But in some way these difficult times can be healing, because they require us to return to God and to strip ourselves of self-sufficiency.
These troubling times can turn to times of blessing, but we must surrender ourselves to Christ and His leading.
Once we do that, God can then use us. He wants to do His work through us and wants to do more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). His desire is to bring the lost to Jesus. Be encouraged! If you are in a time of waiting and things seem to be crumbling around you—do not fear! Surrender to God and let His Spirit fill you!
He wants to use you to impact the world for Christ!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Acts 1; Acts 4; Luke 11:13
