Isaiah 30:18 NLT – {18} But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.

A few years ago my wife and I made a trip to Colorado to be with some friends in the month of December. Although the weather was cooler in Southern California it was very cold in Colorado – 12 degrees when we landed. Our plan was to get a hotel that night and meet up with our friends the next day. We picked up our luggage and made our way outside to stand under the sign that said Hotel Pickup. (Do you remember that I said it was 12 degrees out?) What should have been a couple of minutes wait turned into 45 minutes as the bus we needed never came around. I think it might have been one of the longest waits of my life. When we finally got to the hotel – we we’re completely frozen which was a good reminder for me why I enjoy living in Southern California. Waiting is not one of my strengths in life as I mostly am impatient for things to happen quickly. It is one of the areas my wife and I are opposite in as she has great patience for most things in life – including me which is a real miracle! I confess – I don’t understand the timetable that God has in life – especially when it comes to me and my own journey upon this earth. Waiting has always been hard for me and it is something that I’ve been forced to learn about over my 56 years of living on this earth. My wife has always called me “A Joseph” as he was one who had to endure a lot in life and had to wait for a long time to receive God’s promises that we’re given to him as a young boy. But God did come through for Joseph – perhaps not in the way or in the timing that he thought but He did come through and God has come through for me. Isaiah encourages us to wait for God who is waiting for us to come to Him in our need and to let Him know that we are ready for Him to show us His love and compassion. He reminds us also of the faithfulness of God and the blessing that are coming our way for waiting for Him. I know that I have no arrived and have a long way to go in life but I continue to learn about God and His ways by my learning to wait upon Him. I am often reminded that God is more concerned with our character then our comfort. Waiting then is a way for me to develop more character in my life. I guess… waiting isn’t so bad as it will bring about God’s best in walk and journey with Him.

Isaiah 25:4 NLT – {4} But to the poor, O LORD, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,

Have you ever got caught in a deluge of a rain?  I know that I have many times in my lifetime.  It’s when you are trying to get from one place to another and there is no shelter to cover and protect you.  I’ve had that happen on the golf course a number of times and I’ve had it happen as I’m trying to get out of my car – dressed in my nicest clothes going to church or some function.  The whole idea is that we start running for the nearest shelter because we don’t want to get wetter then we really are.  Rarely does someone just stand in the storm – it’s not a place where you want to be if you want to stay dry.  Storms always dishevel us and toss us around.  They change my appearance and the leave a mess in its wake.  In the same way – when the storms of life come our way – we try to get away from them as fast as we can.  They can have some devastating effects.  The Lord is our traveling shelter in the storm.  It’s like that commercial we see on TV where the umbrella goes where ever the people are.  God is like that in that we  will never be too far from his protective blessing.  His covering over us is against any attacks the enemy might bring our way – financial, spiritual, physical, or… and the list could go on and on.  Over the years I’ve had to run to the shelter over and over.  I’ve tested its ability to protect me and it’s the real deal!  God is a refuge and God is our shelter.  Praise the Lord!

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT – {1} Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. {2} We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.

As a young boy I used to play on the mountain that was right at our doorstep.  My brother and I explored every niche and cranny and spent countless hours in those hills.  There was also a road that traversed up the mountain that cars would once in awhile travel on.   In the spring time the local track team would use the road as a training ground for building up their muscles and endurance.  What was interesting was the fact that each of the runners would tie weights to their ankles to strengthen their legs and help to give them more endurance.  They would do this for days on end until it was time for them to actually run in their track meets against other schools.  Their training would allow them to run faster and longer and win many of the matches.  In the same way – we are strip down every thing that is holding us back from moving forward with God – especially those sins that hinder our upward relationship with God.  It is only then that we can run the race before us.  Life is a lot like a race that will need endurance to win.  It’s not how fast we come out of the gates but how we endure on a day by day basis.  Depending on ourselves will only bring us to defeat but when we depend on Christ – He will see us to the end.  So run your race with God at your side.  Don’t forget the lessons you’ve learned along the way.  Keep your eyes on Christ and don’t stop until you pass that finish line!

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT – {23} Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. {24} Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. {25} And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know “what to do” while you we’re waiting to do the next thing?  I know that I have.  It’s during these times that my mind gets distracted and I end up sometimes doing the things that I shouldn’t be doing.  Paul gives us some instruction about what to do in the meantime while we are waiting for the coming of the Lord.  First, he tells us to not waver – to hold on tightly to God knowing that He is going to keep His promises.  This indicates to me that it is possible to let go and that the enemy is going to throw his whole arsenal at us to get us to “let go.”  We must walk in faith and we must hold on tightly to the promises of God.  Secondly, we must find was to encourage one another to love and do good deeds.  It’s not just doing those deeds myself but I must encourage others to do so also.  How can I provoke you to show your love to others?  If I am leading in regards to serving it will encourage others to serve also.  Lastly,  Paul encourages us to not neglect our coming together as some people do.  In other words – its important to be in church and to hang with other people.  This encourages not only yourself but those around you.  Don’t neglect this!  In other words – it is something that can slip from our list of priorities.  So… in the meantime we must occupy ourselves until He comes lest we find ourselves in places where we should not be and doing things that are not right.

Isaiah 11:6-9 NLT – {6} In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. {7} The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. {8} Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. {9} Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.

Sometimes we become so consumed with life here on earth we forget what has been promised to us in eternity.  We forget that this world is just a place to pass through and is not a place put our roots down for eternity.  Heaven will be a place unlike anything that we have ever experienced.  It will be a place filled with peace – everywhere.  I know it’s hard to fathom – but it is true.  We will no longer have war and destruction.  Children will be able to play and not be harmed.  You will trust your neighbor and your neighbor will trust you.  Heaven will be filled with like-minded people who know God and are committed to following Him.  Heaven is real and it has been prepared for each of us who know and love Christ.  So… next time life seems a little harsh or hard – think about this – Heaven awaits you.  God has prepared a place for you and I that will outshine anything that you’ve accumulated here on earth.

Micah 7:7-8 NLT – [7] As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. [8] Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD himself will be my light.

I am a walking miracle.  I am a person who has been given a second chance to move forward and do the things that God has asked me to do.  At one time – life’s circumstances brought me to my knees in great despair.  I was depressed and at the end of my ability to do anything about it.  I was experiencing a darkness greater then I had ever known.  I didn’t know where to turn and who to trust.  But praise God for the help that comes from God in the midst of the difficulty!  Praise God for the light that shines in the midst of our darkest nights.  God came through and has restored me.  He has healed me and delivered me.  He allowed me to have that second chance.  I will forever be thankful and full of praise.  God is good – all the time!

Hsa 14:9 NLT – [9] Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But sinners stumble and fall along the way.

We are given choices in our lives as to how we will live out and walk in the ways of the Lord.  Everyday we make decisions that affect our lives physically and spiritually.  As a Christian the path is very simple – to follow God in all our ways and to be obedient to Him in all aspects of life.  Hosea pleads with us to be “discerning” and to “listen” in regards to this warning.  He encourages us that the only right path is the path of the Lord and those who don’t follow it – will stumble along the way.  The older I get the deeper my walk with God is becoming.  Nothing matters except my bringing pleasure to God and walking in His ways.  I choose to follow Him and I choose to walk in what is true and right – the paths of the Lord.

[26] My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. [27] But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. [28] But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. – Psa 73:26-28 NLT

I often think about the “core” of a person’s life and what is underneath the layers and layers of façade that people build their lives around.  It isn’t until you are stripped of those layers that you begin to find out about who you are and what it is that you really believe.  In David’s case – his health was failing and his spirit was growing very weak and he definitely was not sporting his “A” game because of the adverse circumstances that was experiencing.   But deep within David was this knowledge that God was in charge and that His sovereignty would prevail.  Perhaps he couldn’t see it or even sense God’s presence but he acted upon what he knew in his heart.  It is not different for any of us today as life throws its ups and downs at us.  We are not moved by circumstances and situations but we are moved by the fact that down in the depths of our  hearts – we know there is a God and we know that He is ultimately in charge of all the affairs within my life.  Like David – we should press in and tell everyone about the wonderful things that God does.

Hosea 6:1-3 (NLT) ^6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. ² In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. ³ Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

This passage touched my heart this morning as it shows the reason that God allows us to go through trials and difficulties – that we may live in His presence.  I have done a lot of reflecting over the past few years about the dark season that I went through.  I know that God could have just said the word and I would have been out of the depression and oppression – but He didn’t.  He wanted something else – that I might come to live and walk in His presence – that I would have an understanding of who He is in my life and what He means to me.  I am a better person for having gone through those experiences and I have a great empathy for others who are experiencing depression of any kind in their lives.  I have come to know God in a deeper way and have come to trust Him like I never have before.  My life and future is in His hands and I rest upon all His promises to me today.

Hebrews 2:18 (GW) Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.

What a great promise.  This is the hope that we carry in our hearts – we don’t have to face the battle alone – Jesus has been through what we’ve been through and He is here for us now.  Wow!  I am not alone.  He promises to go “through the valley” with us.  He has faced every temptation that we face and has come out victorious.  This should give each of us hope today.  We are SO blessed to have him in our hearts and in our lives.  Victory is ours today!