Resting (Email to Parents)

Streams in the Desert readings for this past week seem to be about “waiting” or “being still” or “being content where He has placed you.” It’s a good encouragement to me to wait and be still on whatever may happen in the future. I started reading the book “Inside Afghanistan” today and am already captured just by the first chapter. It’s strange too because the first chapter is mainly just background information about the Taliban and how they took over the country, and September 11th, and a lot of names of government officials and other stuff that I initially struggled to get through. But I stuck with it, and feel drawn to the adventure that lies ahead of the author himself.

Anyway, selections from Streams in the Desert for March 22 says…

“Forty years was a long time to wait in preparation for a great mission. Yet when God delays, He is not inactive. This is when He prepares His instruments and matures our strength. Then at the appointed time we will rise up and be equal to our task…

God is never in a hurry. He spends his years preparing those He plans to greatly use, and never thinks of the days of preparation as being too long or boring.

The most difficult ingredient of suffering is often ‘time.’ A short sharp pain is easily endured, but when a sorry drags on its long and weary way year after monotonous year, returning day after day with the same dull routine of hopeless agony, the heart loses its strength. Without the grace of God, the heart is sure to sink into dismal despair.

Today we may be unable to see the final outcome of the beautiful plan that God has hidden ‘in the shadow of his hand’ (Isa. 49:2). It may be concealed for a very long time, but our faith may rest in the assurance that God is still seated on His thrown. Because of this assurance, we can calmly await the time when, in heavenly delight, we will say, ‘All things have worked together for good.” (Romans 8:28)

In regards to Joseph- and his preparation (i.e. being sold into slavery, imprisoned, etc before he got to be second in command to the King!): ...and if we have gained the qualities that make us ready for a throne, nothing will keep us from it once His timing is right…

Don’t steal tomorrow from God’s hands. Give Him time to speak to you and reveal His will. He is never late – learn to wait.

He never shows up late; He knows just what is best;
Fret not yourself in vain; until He comes, just REST!