Tue May 23, 2017
Bible reading: Habakkuk 2:1-3, Isaiah 28:10
Memory Verse: For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)
The Bible is filled with examples of how God used a long stretchy process to develop people’s character, especially in leaders. Abraham and Job are good examples. God took eighty years to prepare Moses; forty of those years were spent in the wilderness. In those days, Moses must have wondering, “Is it time?” But God kept saying, “Not yet.” Contrary to popular opinion, there are no easy steps to maturity or secrets of instant sainthood.
When God wants to make a giant oak, He takes a hundred years, but when He wants to make a mushroom, he does it overnight. Great souls are grown through struggles, storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with God’s process.
“Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well- developed.” (James 1:4, MSG)
Don’t get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn’t think God was acting quickly enough, God said: “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” (Habakkuk 2:3, TLB)
Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, neither are you where you used to be. Years ago, people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for “Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.”
God isn’t finished with you, so keep moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!
However, we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil. There’s nothing God does to bring His children into the fullness of their inheritance in maturity and Christ likeness that the devil cannot manipulate if you become careless. Tares grow amidst wheat if the vine keeper do not keep vigilance.
Quote: Even the snail reached Noah’s ark by persevering!
Prophetic Word: You will not miss the fruit of patience, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. I command arrows of discouragement to die, in Jesus name.
2. I come before the throne of Grace to receive strength in my inner man, in Jesus name.
3. I receive grace to be daring in my pursuit of destiny fulfillment in Jesus name. Amen.
4. Every satanic strategy and manipulation of delay, catch fire, in Jesus name.