August 29, 2005 – IMPATIENCE CAN ROB PERFECTION
When do you want it done? I usually feel like answering “yesterday!” Waiting is difficult for me. Many times God has given me a prophesy or a word of knowledge and I immediately think God’s timing is now. Through experience I have learned to wait on God’s perfect timing. Hab 2:3 for the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
God’s perfection means that all the parts must be assembled, every person involved ready, and every circumstance engineered to God’s perfect standard. Only God can change hearts and minds and even make our enemies be at peace with us. Webster’s Dictionary defines perfection as “excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement; exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose.” Psalms 18:30 as for God, his way is perfect; the word of the lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Deuteronomy 32:4 he is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Many people mistakenly say, “God helps those who help themselves.” When we rely on ourselves, we will not achieve a perfect work or perfect results. We know nothing as we should, but God knows everything. 1Corinthians 8:2 the man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. Proverbs 3:5 trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Christ did nothing of Himself and His works were perfect. Christ spoke the words of His Father and built the kingdom of God according to his Father’s blueprint. John 8:28 so Jesus said, “when you have lifted up the son of man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. John 15:4 remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
One day I received a phone call from someone close to me. The person told me that she could not stand her job anymore and was going to leave immediately and open a business on her own. I only listened and said very little. Immediately after the phone call, God spoke to me and said, “Now is not the time. All things are not prepared; instead of a blessing, she will reap hardship.” I called her back and told her what God said to me. She obeyed God’s words and did not leave her job. Many months later, she felt strongly urged that she should make her move. She did and God had miraculously opened the door to a wonderful business where she could grow and be financially rewarded. God wrought a wonderful miracle for the owners and for my friend at the same time. The business was on God’s drawing board, but no one else even dreamed about it. The opportunities were boundless and both employer and employee have been mightily blessed because it was God’s perfect plan. Act 27:25 so keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
I am constantly amazed that God is controlling every event and decision in our lives (if we have asked him to do so). I can say from vast experience that: Romans 8:28 and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For many years my husband and I were in the supermarket business. The market was a wonderful vineyard for the Lord. We had a fairly large bible bookstore and I hired only clerks that could spiritually help people. We had miracle after miracle! My husband was preparing to remodel the market when God spoke to me saying that He was removing us from the business. Three days later God sent in a buyer (though we were not even for sale). Within a few weeks, we were out of business completely and didn’t know what to do. God promised me that He was going to “bless our silver and gold more than at the beginning” but I had no idea “how” God was going to do it!!! We had always owned markets and didn’t know or desire anything else. I was really perplexed about God’s words to me, and thought I might be mistaken, but I remained faithful for I trusted that God never makes a mistake – He is never late and His timing always brings about His perfect will for His children.
Six months passed after the sale of our supermarket, and as my impatience grew, I began to wonder if God had forgotten His promise. He didn’t. God kept His promise and supernaturally brought us into a business we never even dreamed about – the produce brokerage business. 2Peter 3:9 the lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. It would take a book to write all the preparations God made for this business to reach fruition. We remained in the brokerage business for twenty-two years; we learned many things and our silver and gold greatly increased. Then God said that He was going to remove us from the brokerage business and that He had a ministry for each family member. I took a look at my age and told God I didn’t see how this was possible, but God has always kept His word so I know the ministry is coming just as He said. Several events have occurred that speak of potential ministry, such as the website; however, God has made many more promises that have yet to be fulfilled. We want the perfect will of God so we are being obedient, prayerful and believing that there are wonderful years ahead for service to our king. The greatness of God and the infinite patience with which He directly leads us defies all human explanation. The only explanation has to be His great love for His children.
If God has promised you something, believe and trust in His words to you. It will come to pass. When we remain faithful and obedient no good thing will He withhold from us. Psalms 84:11 for the lord God is a sun and shield; the lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Learn to patiently wait for God’s highest and best for you. I have found that after God tells us He is going to do something or use us, we are immediately tested for a period of time to see if we are steadfast and truly have faith. Do not be discouraged if you are being tried after God’s promise to you. “Only believe, all things are possible to those that believe” (as the song goes)! Proverbs 3:7 do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the lord and shun evil. 8 this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 honor the lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 11 my son, do not despise the lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the lord disciplines those he loves, as a Father the son he delights in. 13 blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 she is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
May the Lord richly bless you. Amen.
Anita
