A friend posted a Rick Warren devotion yesterday that really encouraged me. And I thought, maybe I'm not the only one who needs to hear this. So here is an excerpt - may it be an encouragement to you as well!
(red text is my addition)
God’s delay [in answering your request] may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, most people can be patient twice. And, a lot of us can be patient three times. So God tests our patience over and over and over.
Why? So he can see how patient you are? No!
He does it so you can see how patient you are — so you’ll know what’s inside you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.
You may be going through difficult times right now. You may be discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.
It may seem unbearable, and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”
But you can.
You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before you.
(red text is my addition)
Why God Sometimes Says 'Not Yet'
by Rick Warren
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’”
Hebrews 10:36-37, NIV
God’s delay [in answering your request] may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, most people can be patient twice. And, a lot of us can be patient three times. So God tests our patience over and over and over.
Why? So he can see how patient you are? No!
He does it so you can see how patient you are — so you’ll know what’s inside you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.
You may be going through difficult times right now. You may be discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.
It may seem unbearable, and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”
But you can.
You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before you.
Thank you for this encouraging and uplifting post! Such a good reminder that we *can* persevere. Praying for you guys!
ReplyDelete