Are You Impatient with God?

Are you impatient? Are you even impatient with God? After all, we believe our own prayers should be answered instantly. When they are not, we begin to grumble with impatience. Our culture is addicted to instant gratification. We expect immediate answers to our problems. We do not like to wait for anything.

According to Isaiah, “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31, ESV)

Matthew Henry writes of this verse: “They shall walk, they shall run, the way of God’s commandments, cheerfully and with alacrity (they shall not be weary), constantly and with perseverance (they shall not faint); and therefore in due season they shall reap. Let Jacob and Israel therefore, in their greatest distresses, continue waiting upon God, and not despair of timely and effectual relief and succor from him.”

Waiting requires submission to God’s Word and God’s Will. We are in His service, not He in ours. Complaining and impatience are contrary to God’s work in us. Our obsession with self results in weariness. Waiting on God, however, results in a thriving spirit – “renewed strength.” Divine power overshadows our weakness as we “wait for the Lord.”

Waiting on the Lord requires trust and self-discipline. Our own powers are insufficient to carry out God’s plan and purpose. Paul writes, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ESV) Self-sufficiency must be put aside in order to receive the overcoming strength of our Lord.

Charles Spurgeon writes, “If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.” In other words, waiting on the Lord enables us to become what God wants us to be.

The Work of Faith in Prayer

Faith’s work is to make the soul to plead with God. Faith looks to what God has promised as you approach Him in prayer. William Guthrie writes:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 ESV)

Faith’s work in a soul in prayer is to make it importunate in pressing for that which it prays for. Having the word of God for its ground, and the name of Christ for its encouragement, it importunately presses for the thing desired, and when He seems to say, “Ye shall not have it ;” it says, “I will not let Thee go.” It was faith that made Jacob wrestle that night with God; says the angel, “Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” And, “Moses,” says the Lord, “will ye let me alone, that I may destroy this people.” But says Moses, “If thou wilt forgive their sins; and if not, blot me out of thy book, which thou hast written.” And the woman of Samaria, say what He would, harped still upon this string, “Lord, have mercy upon me.”

Faith’s work in prayer is to undertake for the soul to God, and for God to the soul. This is the very kernel of prayer. Faith says to the soul, “I assure thee that whatsoever God hath promised in His word, that He will give and perform.” Faith says to the soul, “There is not a promise made to the Church, but it shall be accomplished; nor to itself in particular, but it shall be performed.” So that this is the work of faith in prayer, to engage for the Lord that all the promises that He hath given shall be made out and fulfilled unto them. On the other hand, faith engages the soul to wait patiently on for the accomplishment of all that the Lord bath promised. So that this is one of the mysteries of God; and it is lamentable that so many souls live strangers to God and to this work of faith, and do not consider the worth and excellency of this grace of faith. I dare say that we, His Church and people, would be as far above trouble this day as we are under it if we had faith and the lively exercise thereof. Those that have this are of all men the most happy, and those that want it are of all men the most miserable.

Faith’s Work in Prayer

Faith assures the soul that what God has promised in His Word, He will provide and carry out. William Guthrie writes:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 ESV)

Faith’s work in prayer is to take hold of the least meaning, may-be, or intimation from the Lord, and to lay hold of the least ground of hope of mercy; as a poor man takes hold of the least meaning of mercy from man. It was the exercise of the woman of Canaan in her prayer, when Christ upbraided her, saying, “What have I to do with thee? Should I give the children’s bread to dogs?” “Truth, Lord,” says she, “Thou hast given me some ground to expect help from Thee.” Truth, Lord, I acknowledge that I am a dog; but it is as true that dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Whereupon Christ says unto her, “0 woman, great is thy faith. Thy faith hath taken hold of the least intimation, or may-be, as a ground of hope. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” And this reproves those who fret if they get not what dish of meat they please; or if it pleases them not – they cast it from them. But if thou knew what thou art, and how little thou deserve, thou wouldst bless God, that thou art not in hell already.

Faith’s work in prayer is to enjoin every praying faculty, or all that is within the soul, before God. For faith sets its desires in order. Faith makes it desire nothing but what God hath allowed in His Word and it will be nothing short of this. Again, it orders our zeal, so that it is not blind and preposterous: where faith rules it orders humility, so that the soul does not say in a sullen fit, “Lord, depart from me for I am a sinful man.” It orders sorrow for sin neither to be too little nor too great. It is faith’s work to make the soul sorrow heartily before God: on the other hand, it makes us guard against anxious sorrow. Then it orders hope that the soul may wait patiently for the answer or accomplishment of prayer. Thus, it is faith’s work to order all things within the soul, and put all things in a composed temper. So commanding is the grace of faith in a soul where it is, that it will let nothing be out of order.

The Christian and Worry

Do you ever worry? I do. Yes, I know that a Christian is not supposed to worry – but the fact is that I often worry. I even find myself at times worrying about worry! Just as there are reasonable fears – such as the fear of God or being fearful of sticking your hand in fire – I wonder if there is such a thing as a reasonable amount of worry. Did worry ever help me in my profession? No! Do not confuse worry with thinking about solving a problem. Planning for and solving problems is a wise use of energy. Worry drains you of energy and confuses the mind.

People often worry about things they cannot do anything about. I am such a control freak that I often catch myself doing this. I am only human, but I am a Christian. I should be putting my trust in God concerning such matters. Worry has never had any positive effect on the problems I have faced in my life.

Too much worry has harmful effects, both physically and mentally. I can testify to that. I often go to the words of the Apostle Paul, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

I believe that worry tends to dry up the work of grace that is taking place inside a Christian. Therefore, it must be one of Satan’s favorite tools. It distorts your focus on the Christian life. Worry kills trust in God’s providential care. We need to learn to accept that the future belongs to God and is in His hands.

Over the years, I have learned that worry is a sign that I am trusting only in myself. Usually, this means that I am obsessed with problems or circumstances I can do nothing about, instead of praying to God who has real power over all things. William F. Ullathorne once wrote, “Beware of anxiety. Next to sin, there is nothing that so troubles the mind, strains the heart, distresses the soul, and confuses the judgment.”

Those are good words of advice. We can find much relief in the Bible (particularly the Psalms) and there is God’s best medicine to battle your worry. Cast your cares on Him for whom no burden is too great. There is hope for the obsessive worrywart. That is part of what makes grace so amazing.

Faith’s Work

It is faith’s work in prayer is to make it persistent in pressing for that for which it prays. Faith has the Word of God for its ground, and the name of Christ for its encouragement. William Guthrie writes:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 ESV)

What is faith’s work in prayer? It instructs the person of his own need of the unsearchable riches that are in Christ. It makes him cry out, “0 sinful man that I am? I have destroyed and undone myself.” And, on the other hand, it informs the soul of its relief and [escape] from that misery, and of the soul’s portion that is to be had in Christ, and of the fullness thereof; so that there is not the least want, but there is a perfect and complete fullness in Christ, as ye may see in the case of the publican. What was the thing he prayed for? Says he, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Faith instructs as to his sin, and then as to the way of his relief and help from sin, viz., in Christ; so that faith’s first work in prayer is to instruct a sinner of its own condition, and then of its supply, and help. And poor, poor are they that want this grace of faith; and rich, rich are they that have it.

Faith’s work in prayer is to be the hand by which the soul takes hold of the remedy and relief that is in Christ, and offered by Him to us in the gospel. It is the soul’s hand to lay hold of Christ and His fullness, as He is offered and held forth to us. As a poor man puts forth his hand to take that which is offered unto him, so it is with faith in prayer. It is called a receiving, and it is the very hand whereby Christ, and all that is to be had in Him, is to be received or laid hold of. This is an excellent mark in prayer.

The work of faith in prayer is, to enable the soul to wait patiently on God for a return of the petition it hath put up. Faith says, “Ye have prayed, and that is your duty; but see, Sirs, that ye stay still at His door until ye get an answer. Be not like those who shoot blunt-shot, and never look where it goes. ‘I will hear what God the Lord will speak.” “I will stand on my watch, and set me on the tower to see what He will say to me,” says faith to the soul. … It is faith that puts strength into our souls to make them patiently wait on, till God send an answer unto them.

Do you desire eternal life?

Do you desire eternal life? Does your soul hunger and thirst after those things that may satisfy your spirit and make you live forever? There is nothing that you need between here and heaven which is not provided in Jesus Christ, in his person and in his work. Charles H. Spurgeon writes:

When you are about your daily work you find yourself sighing, “Oh, that my load of guilt were gone! Oh, that I could call the Lord my Father with an unfaltering tongue!” Night after night and day after day this desire rises from you like the morning mist from the valleys. You would tear off your right arm, and pluck out your right eye, if you might gain the unspeakable benefit of salvation in Jesus Christ. You are sincerely anxious for reconciliation with God, and your anxiety reveals itself in prayer and supplication. I hope these prayers will continue. I trust you will never cease your crying. May the Holy Spirit constrain you to continue to sigh and groan. Like the importunate woman (Luke 18:1-8), may you press your case until the gracious answer is granted through the merits of Jesus.

So far things are hopeful for you; but when I say hopeful, I wish I could say much more, for mere hopefulness is not enough. It is not enough to desire, it is not enough to seek, it is not enough to pray; you must actually obtain, you must actually lay hold on eternal life. You will never enjoy comfort and peace till you have passed out of the merely hopeful stage into a better and a brighter one, by making sure of your interest in the Lord Jesus by a living, appropriating faith. In the exalted Savior all the gifts and graces which you need are stored up, in readiness to supply your wants. Oh, may you come to his fullness, and out of it receive grace for grace!

The person I wish to comfort may be described by one other touch of the pen. He is one who is quite willing to lay bare his heart before God, to confess his desires, whether right or wrong, and to expose his condition, whether unhealthy or sound. While we try to cloak anything from God, we are both wicked and foolish. It shows a rebellious spirit when we have a desire to hide away from our Maker; but when a man uncovers his wound, invites inspection of its sore, bids the surgeon cut away the leprous film which covered its corruption, and says to him, “Here, probe into its depths, see what evil there is in it; do not spare me, but make a sure cure of the wound,” then he is in a fair way to be recovered. When a man is willing to make God his confessor, and freely, and without hypocrisy, pours out his heart like water before the Lord, there is hope for him. You have told the Lord your position, you have spread your petitions before him – I trust you will continue to do so until you find relief; but I have yet a higher hope, namely, that you may soon obtain peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Advice for Seekers)

Are You too Busy for God?

Are you too busy for God? I am often frustrated with myself when I realize I have not spent time in prayer or reading God’s Word. When this happens (Too often!), I generally recognize that I have been too preoccupied with worldly matters and trying to make the world run on my schedule (Habits of a lifetime!) I really love how all our new technology helps us to get things organized better, but have you ever wondered if Jesus would have carried an IPad? Would He have refused to see people because of His busy calendar? Do you ever wonder what He thinks about our addiction to the clock and schedules?

Our cell phones keep us on a tight leash. Would God have to text you to get your attention? Is it the fault of our electronic toys when we spend less time alone with God?

One interesting proverb in the Bible says this about work, “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.” (Proverbs 23:4 ESV) Do you know when enough is enough? Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry. Time was not His master. Our own inability to restrain our desires makes time a burden and life more complex. If we eliminate needless desires, we can reduce life’s complexity.

Pray for wisdom to determine what is really important in your life. Never forget, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

Satan is a clever fellow; he will use your desire to acquire more to separate you from God and your family. Consider these words from Proverbs, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22 ESV) The “blessing of the Lord” is not available to those who have no time for God. Has your success been accompanied by sorrow?

Take a moment to evaluate your lifestyle. Is God’s absence more conspicuous than His blessings in your life? Maybe you have become too busy for God to speak to you. “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” (Proverbs 19:2 ESV) Let godly knowledge control your desires. Slow down enough to spend time in the presence of God. This will calm your spirit; help you to enjoy life more; and enable you to make better decisions.

Trouble Comes

Trouble often comes whether we try to avoid it or not. I was once told that trouble is like a minefield. You are walking along, minding your own business, and suddenly with the next step everything goes horribly wrong. Too often, we rely only on our own abilities to conquer trouble. At such times, it is good to remember that we are held within God’s providential care. God can provide relief from any trouble in your life. Yes, there is adversity in life, but in Christ, there is hope and ultimate victory over our problems. God has a plan and purpose in all our trials.

“God would not rub us so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child’s garments.” (William Gurnall)

We may complain about it, but adversity seems to be a better teacher than prosperity. From trouble, we learn hope, trust, courage, and patience. Samuel Rutherford wrote, “Grace grows best in winter.” However, spring and summer follow. The Scriptures teach us:

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:20-21)

God will not abandon us in a sea of adversity. Cry out to God and stop sulking in the darkness. Steady your mind and focus on the glory of God. In such times, your soul may be better served and you may become a better servant of God. I conclude with this quote from Alexander Solzhenitsyn:

“Bless you, prison, for having been in my life. The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.”

Faith and Prayer

Faith in prayer enables the soul to wait patiently on God for the answer. Praying in faith strengthens our souls with the expectation that God will answer. According to William Guthrie:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 ESV)

To pray in faith is to be endued with saving grace from the Lord. This grace of faith must be infused into the person that approaches unto God. For it is impossible that the person that wants faith can be acceptable to God – I mean not faith of miracles, or an historical faith, but true and justifying faith. This shows that all that are destitute of this grace are in a bad case. “For without faith it is impossible to please God.” And this is the woeful case they are in that want faith, that never anything they do is acceptable to God; and this, again, is the noble privilege of those that have it, that all they do in duty is accepted of Him. . . .

To pray in faith is to make use of the grounds of faith in our praying, viz., the word of promise; for the promises are the ground of our suit. So that in acceptable prayer faith makes use of this and that promise turns the promise into a petition. This is faith’s work. . . .

To pray in faith is to make use of and to employ Christ the Mediator. So that the soul will never go to God but in the Mediator; and it looks for a return to its suits or petitions, only in and through the Mediator, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. . . .

To pray in faith is to pray over the belly of all opposition. When, in human appearance, there is nothing but anger and wrath from God, and when the soul is under the apprehensions of His wrath, yet faith will come over all these unto God. . . .

To pray in faith is this: When the soul promises to itself on the ground of God’s word an answer to the particular petition it is putting up to God. To pray in faith is not only to know well that the thing ye are seeking is warrantable and according to His will, but in some measure to have assurance (or endeavor after it) … if their petition is for things conditional, either to themselves or the Church, if it be for their good it shall not be wanting.

CONFIDENT CHRISTIANITY

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3 ESV)

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had as much confidence as a fellow Christian who is very bold in his witness for Christ? What do you think makes some Christians more confident in prayer than others? How is it that some Christians face the problems of life so calmly?

We find this clue in Proverbs, “For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:26 ESV) God would have us manifest courage. We are always in the presence of God and ought to display presence of mind. Serenity under the sudden rush of unexpected evils is a gift of divine love. Therefore, Christians should show quietness in spirit. Those who walk with God shall not be deceived by Satan’s tricks. Let the LORD be your confidence.

Paul writes, “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:11-12 ESV) We have the courage of confident access to God. Since we belong to Christ and He is ours, then we have free and unrestricted access to the Father. Therefore, we should pray boldly and rest confidently in God.

I am not talking about self-confidence, but confidence in God. All things are possible with God. The outcome of our efforts is in His hands. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Hebrews 10:35 ESV)

The Apostle John writes, “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” (1 John 2:28 ESV) The phrase “abide in him” pictures an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. Such a relationship inspires confidence. Once we abide in Him, we have the confidence to produce good fruit in our lives. (John 15:4 ESV)

We Converse so Little with God

Jeremiah Burroughs:

The reason why we are so troubled with our nakedness, with any wants that we have, is because we converse so little with God, so little with spiritual things; conversing with spiritual things would lift us above the things of the world. Those who are bitten or struck by a snake, it is because they tread on the ground; if they could be lifted up above the earth they need never fear being stung by the snakes which are crawling underneath. (The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment)

To Pray in Faith

The ability to pray in faith requires grace in you and grace concerning your petition. Faith must be active towards the particular objective of your prayers. William Guthrie writes:

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 ESV)

I come, … to speak of those qualifications requisite in acceptable prayer – there being a vast difference between prayer and acceptable prayer – between our uttering words to God and praying by a gift, and praying by the promised Spirit of grace and supplication, in such a way and manner as to be accepted of God in what we pray for. This is the thing that doth so much take up the thoughts of the tender and serious Christian: Am I accepted of God in what I do? The words of the mouth many times run this way; and if ye heard the language of their heart, ye would hear much unto this purpose.

Now, the first requisite qualification of acceptable prayer to God is true and saving faith. And it is so requisite in prayer, that no man or woman can put up a suitable desire without it. And the having of this grace makes anything that they do in this exercise of a sweet smelling savor unto God. Hence, I shall observe, that in order to find acceptance with God in all our addresses unto Him sound, saving, and justifying faith is very requisite and necessary. . . .

[T]he Scripture makes this very clear and plain, in the words of the text: “Whatsoever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” As ever ye would be accepted of God, believe, and so, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive.” “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” That is, let faith be acted and exercised in our prayers. “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” So that the way to draw near to God acceptably is by faith.

A Comforting Thought

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV)

Life is often a struggle, which inclines us to turn inward and become depressed. However, we do not have a God who encourages pity parties. Our God wants us to turn to Him with our struggles for He is the “God of all comfort”.

God says, “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass …” (Isaiah 51:12 ESV) God really does care for us in the circumstances of our troubles.

If we are to understand how to receive comfort from God, we must seek God and value His Truth by participating in worship at church; by studying His Word; and by prayer. The Bible is a wonderful source of comfort. I often turn to the Psalms when I am worried. I also often pray over my concerns using the Psalms as my guide.

Isaiah reminds us that God is sufficient in all our troubles: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; … to comfort all who mourn …” (Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV) Not only does God help us in our times of trouble, but He also brings to us people who have suffered as we are suffering. They are able to identify with us and comfort us because they have been comforted in their distress by God. In turn, we will one day comfort others in the grace which God has given us.

I Rise Today with the Power of God

I rise today with the power of God to pilot me,
God’s strength to sustain me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look ahead for me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to protect me,
God’s way before me,
God’s shield to defend me,
God’s host to deliver me,
from snares of devils,
from evil temptations,
from nature’s failings,
from all who wish to harm me,
far or near, alone and in a crowd.
(“Saint Patrick’s Breastplate,” an Old Irish, eighth-century prayer)

Preaching and Prayer

Quite often, preaching is not effective because of the failure of the minister in the personal application of secret prayer. In his Lectures to My Students, Charles H. Spurgeon says:

It may scarcely be needful to commend to you the sweet uses of private devotion, and yet I cannot forbear. To you as the ambassadors of God, the mercy seat has a virtue beyond all estimate. The more familiar you are with the court of heaven, the better shall you discharge your heavenly trust. Among all the formative influences that go to make up a man honored of God in the ministry, I know of none more mighty than his own familiarity with the mercy-seat. All that a college course can do for a student is coarse and external compared with the spiritual and delicate refinement obtained by communion with God. While the unformed minister is revolving upon the wheel of preparation, prayer is the tool of the great Potter by which He molds the vessel. All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with out closets. We grow, we wax mighty, and we prevail in private prayer.

Prayer will singularly assist you in the delivery of your sermon; in fact, nothing can so gloriously fit you to preach as descending fresh from the mount of communion with God to speak with men. None are so able to plead with men as those who have been wrestling with God on their behalf. It is said of Joseph Alleine “He poured out his very heart in prayer and preaching. His supplications and his exhortations were so affectionate, so full of holy zeal, life and vigor that they quite overcame his hearers. He melted over them so that he thawed and mollified and sometimes dissolved the hardest hearts.” Prayer may not make you eloquent after the human mode, but it will make you truly so, for you will speak out of the heart. And is not that the meaning of the word “eloquence”? It will bring fire from heaven upon your sacrifice, and thus prove it to be accepted of the Lord. (Lectures To My Students)