Come , Lord Jesus - As We Wait
by, Toni Smothers
Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7a,  Lamentations 3:24-26, Colossians 1:11, John11:5-7
David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed King at age 16 but he didn’t actually become King until he was 30. During those 14 years of waiting, David was chased through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of His promise that David would reign.
Remember also that Jesus did not respond immediately to His beloved friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He had a reason and His own special timing so that He could take that opportunity to use it for good and to demonstrate His power and mercy by rising Lazarus from the dead.
Prayer:
Waiting is so hard for us Lord.  In our impatience, we sometimes feel as if You aren't listening. Thank you  for forgiving us and understanding the urgency we feel over our need for You. Please answer us, Lord Jesus. Embrace us with your presence and your love. It's in your name we pray, Amen.
Putting it into action:
 God calls us to hope in and wait for Him. There is always a reason that we are just exactly where we are in our lives. We can choose to use this time to strengthen, refresh, renew and teach us. Patiently await His timing. Waiting for God is not easy, but God is always worth waiting for.
​Author Biography:
Toni Smothers has written articles for “Total Health”, “Let’s Live”, “People In Action” and “The North American Mentor” magazines.  Additionally, she has ghost-written answers to numerous questions for the evangelical christian site, GotQuestions.org. She is a member of the Faithwriters.com writing community and was previously the editor for the teen section of Faithwriters first on-line magazine.

Day 286: The Benefit of a Vow of SeparationActs 18:18b
...Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
Thoughts for Today:I find Paul to be an incredibly interesting and complex personality. Here we find just one more example, "...he had his hair cut off... because of a vow he had taken." Why cut off his hair? Going back to the Old Testament, Numbers 6:2-5 tells us that the Lord told Moses, "If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the Lord as a Nazirite... During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head." In addition, the Nazirite was to not touch grapes, drink wine, or touch dead bodies. Upon conclusion of this "vow of separation" there would be a ceremony in which, verse 18, "...the Nazerite must shave off the hair that he dedicated. He is to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering." It seems Paul had cut off his hair as a sign of purification and completion of his vow of separation.

There are many reasons why Paul would follow Jewish law in such a way despite the fact that doing so might appear to be in sharp contrast to many of Paul's teachings involving the aspect of grace. One of these reasons is given to us in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." In other words, by observing the Jewish Law Paul might reach and save some of his Jewish brothers. But I think there is a less recognized motivation behind Paul's action, and that is, he valued the benefit of purification following a vow of separation.

Paul understood and taught that man could never earn his own salvation. However, as evidenced in our passage today, I believe Paul fully appreciated the cleansing benefits that focused discipline and personal sacrifice would have on him individually, which (in my opinion) is one of the reasons he took the vow of separation.
Questions to Ponder:At least one popular diet requires, during the first two weeks, abstinence from sweets. Why? Because our bodies have become so accustomed and addicted to sugar that they are out of balance. Only sacrifice in the form of abstinence can begin to correct this imbalance. We understand this idea when dieting (throw the junk food away), but few of us apply this concept spiritually. What do you have as a part of your life that needs to go? What is unhealthy for you? Will you make a vow of separation? Make a list and start today.

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Day 285: Who is Ministering to Your Pastor?Acts 18:18a
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila...
Thoughts for Today:Eighteen months after meeting Priscilla and Aquila (initially working for them as a tent maker), Paul now leaves Corinth in their company (parting after they reach Ephesus). All together, Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned six times in the New Testament (Acts 18:2,18.26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). Clearly they were very close to Paul personally, and were especially important to him in his ministry.

As I thought about the nature of the relationship Priscilla and Aquila had with Paul, I couldn't help but think about the relationship I have with my own pastor. Is my pastor merely a figurehead of the church, who teaches on Sunday morning's, or is he a real person, with real likes, interests, and yes -- problems. If my pastor ran into difficulty, would I employ him in my business, or provide a place for him to stay, as did Priscilla and Aquila? Would I support him in confidential and non-judgmental friendship during a period of emotional or financially distress that he might encounter? Would I be one he would turn to in difficult times?

Pricilla and Aquila did all of the above for Paul and much more; and not just for a day or two, but for a lifetime. I believe their given ministry was to minister to and be in support of their pastor -- Paul. With their help Paul was supported in a way that allowed him to accomplish many great things for the Lord. Taking care of our pastors is a much overlooked yet extraordinarily important responsibility. Who is looking after your pastor?
Questions to Ponder:Too often we consider our pastors to be "bigger than life," spiritual giants who need little from us, the typical church attendee. But is that true? Maybe you are just the person your pastor needs to reach out a hand in real friendship. The three problems most pastors have in developing deep friendships and relationships with people are: trust, confidentiality and the ability to be human (happy, sad, etc.) just like everyone else without being judged. Who is ministering to your pastor(s)? Could it be you? Where could you begin in establishing a real friendship with any of the pastors at your church?

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Day 284: Getting Beat UpActs 18:17
Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Thoughts for Today:If you have a talent for remembering difficult names, you might say, "Wait a minute, wasn't Crispus (from verse 8), the synagogue ruler?" You will also recall that he, along with his whole household, became believers and were baptized. I'm sure the Jews didn't want a Christ follower to rule the synagogue, so he was replaced with Sosthenes. In our passage today, apparently the Jews felt that Sosthenes had not made a strong enough case before the proconsul (Gallio) so they beat him -- perhaps hoping this demonstration of lawlessness would motivate Gallio to change his mind about Paul. Ultimately, it did not as "Gallio showed no concern whatever."

Later on in 1 Corinthians 1:1, Paul greets Sosthenes, so guess who else got converted while Paul was in Corinth? That's right, Sosthenes, the beaten synagogue ruler. As I was studying and reflecting on our passage today, I realized that often times people are brought to salvation when, like Sosthenes, they are beaten up. Do you know someone right now who is not a believer and is in the process of being beat up? Many times, God uses the process of bringing us to our lowest point as a means to bring a person to salvation by revealing a need for Jesus.

How many times have you heard someone telling their story of salvation -- about how it was only after they had reached the lowest point in their life that they came to know Jesus? If you are like me you have heard such a story repeated hundreds if not thousands of times. What about Christians rediscovering their faith in the midst of the greatest trial or tribulation of their life? Same thing, hundreds of times -- right? Then why are we so afraid of having others go through hard experiences, when being led to complete reliance on the Lord is what many people need most?
Questions to Ponder:Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it's good to be beaten or publicly humiliated. We need to show compassion and do our part in keeping a responsible, orderly society. What I am saying is: when all of our solutions haven't worked out; when we're all out of ideas; when there are no more resources and the world as we know it stops making sense -- that is when we are most open to God. It may be to know Him for the first time, or to become refreshed in our relationship with Christ. Has your kind heart jumped in ahead of prompting from the Holy Spirit and gotten in the way of someone's opportunity to meet the Lord face to face? How could you be sensitive to God's work in such circumstances and still be there to help others in need?

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Day 281: The Secret to a Worry-free LifeActs 18:11a
So Paul stayed for a year and a half...
Thoughts for Today:My seven year old daughter Amanda has a very well developed sense of direction as well as a keen memory. Many times in the car she will say for example, if we turn here we could go to Krissy's house (one of her adult sisters), and often she is right. However, Amanda is a child and even though some landmarks might look familiar they aren't always the right ones; if it was completely up to Amanda, she could easily take a wrong turn, lose her way and become lost. Fortunately, I drive the car when we are together, not Amanda; and I know where we are going and how to get there. Sometimes Amanda will ask, "Daddy are we lost?" and I answer, "No, we're not. I know the way and we'll be there soon; no need to worry, just relax and enjoy the ride."

Previously in verses 9-10, the Lord said something similar to Paul, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you." In other words, the Lord is saying, "Paul just relax, no need to worry or fear, I've got things under control, just continue to do your thing and I'll take care of the rest." So Paul did just that, rather than following his typical pattern of short stops in each city, Paul stayed for a year and a half -- fully secure in God's promise and presence.

You may be thinking, "If only life was that easy." But isn't it? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:26-27, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" The reason we worry is because we don't realize that God is driving the car; He knows the way; He never gets lost; and even better, He is always in complete and total control. If you believe that (and live accordingly), you have found the secret to a worry-free life.
Questions to Ponder:Wouldn't it be nice to fully believe every moment that the Lord is in control, and not feel like we need to manage every little detail of our lives? Through God's Word (the Bible), the Lord has given us over three thousand promises; it is only up to us to read, recognize and believe them. We don't need to be on an emotional roller coaster anymore; excited and optimistic one moment and fearful and stressed out the next. Instead we can be like Paul, secure in God's promise and presence. Which will you choose? How many of God's promises do you know?

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Day 280: What Do You See in Your City?Acts 18:10b
[The Lord continuing to speak to Paul in a vision] "...because I have many people in this city."
Thoughts for Today:When I first read our Scripture today, I said to myself, "Wait a minute; Paul's ministry had only just begun, so there couldn't have been a lot of Christians in the city." So why would the Lord say, 'I have many people in this city?' Then the light went on and I realized that the Lord sees a Christian before they become one, and I thought, "What would I have seen had I looked at Corinth back then? And more importantly, what do I see right now in my city? Do I see floundering people who have not yet met the Lord, or do I see just more people-waste?"

Isn't that an interesting term: "people-waste"? Clearly that is my word and not the Lord's because He sees future Christians mixed in with all the people who are caught up in pursuing careers, crime, material possessions, egotism, the occult, drug use, sensual gratification, alcoholism, etc. I see the trash that people are making of their lives and wonder how to make a difference. God sees the gems. He knows whose heart is open to hear the Word and asks, "Who will I send with the message of salvation?"
Questions to Ponder:We don't need to bring Christ to church because He's already there, yet that is where we spend the majority of our "Christian" service, ministering to other Christians. Where Christ is truly needed is in the work places and street corners of our cities. God sees the heart; not the activity, location, or behavior of people. What do you see? Who will He use to reach out to those who need the gospel the most? Will it be you? How can you make yourself available? What do you need to do to prepare your heart? Are you willing?

Day 279: The Lord's Two Gifts: His Promise(s) and His PresenceActs 18:10a
[The Lord speaking to Paul in a vision] "For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you..."
Thoughts for Today:The year was 734BC when Ahaz, the King of Judah, was about to be attacked by an alliance between Rezin, King of Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. In Isaiah 7: 3-9, The Lord told Isaiah to reassure Ahaz, "Say to Him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid...' This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'It will not take place, it will not happen...'" [Continuing on in verse 9] '"...If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all.'" In other words, "What you fear will not happen, so you better get your emotions under control. But be careful, because how you manage your faith from this point forward will ultimately determine your fate, not this particular battle or war." We would all be well served to follow this counsel.

We don't have time to discuss the full history of King Ahaz (see 2 Chronicles 28:1-27), however the point I want to make from his negative example is contained in Isaiah 7:9, '"...If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all.'" When faced with difficult circumstances we can be like King Ahaz and crumble, be unstable, emotional, and seek the help and advice of others; or we can choose to be like Paul from our passage today who would stand his ground, finding confidence, certainty and security in the Lord's presence and promise(s). King Ahaz was so evil and poorly thought of that he was not even buried in the tombs with the other kings of Israel. Paul on the other hand stayed for a year and a half, being firmly fully established in his faith and the Lord's promise ("For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you..."). Which will you choose?
Questions to Ponder:While King Ahaz did not stand firm in his faith, the Lord was faithful and his kingdom was preserved for his son Hezekiah (who would later lead a revival and return to the ways of the Lord). The promise(s) and presence of God should give us the confidence, certainty and security to stand our ground in the face of adversity, as the words to the old Christian hymn "The Solid Rock," penned in 1836 by Edward Mote reflect:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.
[Refrain]
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

On what ground are you standing right now? Are your feet planted on "The Solid Rock" of Jesus, or do you reach for other solutions when you are faced with problems? What needs to change?

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