SLOW

 “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stop

Lashing

Out

Wildly

    I want to make sure I give credit where credit is due; so let me begin by saying this acrostic was at least partially inspired by yesterday’s sermon and the June theme from Pastor Paula’s back to the basics series. Yuma First Assembly started the year 2022 with, Prayer, Love, from Fasting to Feasting, Giving, Going and now, we are focusing on Slowing down all the way to waiting. Pentecost Sunday, we were challenged to wait on the Holy Spirit.

    As I walked into the service, saw the blocks spelling out SLOW, and listened to the message, I thought what a great word. My mind tossed around ideas all day and into the night, but nothing clicked. Then, the next step in my inspiration process fell into place. Years ago, a Pastor gave an extortion to a group of young ministers I was a part of; that exhortation was, “Always listen to your wife!” 

    It may be shocking for some to hear, but I get behind in my devotional reading from time to time. Michele once told me, “Just read the Bible. Your inspiration will come. God will give you the message He wants you to preach.” I woke up at 4:00AM and started reading. Don’t ask how many days worth of Scripture I read, or how many more I need to read to be on track to finish the Bible following this year’s plan, but this message began to fall into place. See honey, I do listen to you.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    Waiting and listening to instructions is never fun, nor is it ever easy. How many of us have experienced being pushed to the limit of our patience? I grew up as a “problem child.” Full disclosure, I have experienced both sides of this issue. When I was a child, there was no such thing as a “Timeout,” so correction was a huge part of my life. Now, spanking is out and timeouts are in. Zak, my ten year old nephew, was staying with Michele and me a few years ago, and as you might expect at bedtime a dispute came up.

    How many parents know, down time is the worst time? The exchange went like this: I said, “Zak, brush your teeth and go to bed.” The child continues his activity. Not slowing down, not listening, he had no intention of waiting, listening, or following directions. Granted, he was five at the time. I exercised a little grace, and offered the directions three or four times. Then I said again, “Zak, brush your teeth and go to bed, adding that is the end of the story!” Five-year-old Zak turned to me and said, “This is just the beginning!”

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:30-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Learning to slow down and wait is a lifelong lesson. It takes practice and demands trust. Recently Zak was working with Michele on a craft project. Michele told him to spread some paper under the page he was coloring with markers. He followed her instruction with the first project, but when it was complete, he lifted the colored page and said, “See, it doesn't bleed through.” He removed the protective sheets of paper and continued his projects.

    Later Michele asked, “Zak, why is there RED marker all over the table?” Michele took advantage of the teachable moment and explained that as children we don’t always get complete lists of the reasons “Why” things are necessary, but we need to wait, listen, and follow directions.

    I often worry that these personal stories may cause us to miss the spiritual connection. Right now you might be asking, “What do those two illustrations have to do with, Stop Lashing Out Wildly?”

    We all hate waiting. We all want to be in control. We have all experienced attacks in both the physical and spiritual realms. It is God’s desire for all of us to learn the value of waiting. The only way to be victorious is seeking God’s battle plan and strategy. We will only hear God’s answer when we quiet the distractions and wait on His revelation.

“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5:17-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    We always run the risk, having faced the enemy before, of thinking we know how to deal with the situation, but God’s word will teach us that God changes His strategy - even when dealing with the same enemy.

“Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭14:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    Remember Moses? Dealing with a thirsty crowd of Israelites in the desert, two separate occasions two different instructions on how to meet the need. In one place God said, “Strike the rock…” In the other place God said, “Speak to the rock…” What happened when Moses got angry and took matters into his own hands? Doing it wrong always comes with a cost. Moses missed out on entering the promised land. Are we going to pay a price, or are we going to wait on God and enjoy His intended outcome?

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    Learning to wait, being able to Stop Lashing Out Wildly comes with some amazing benefits.

“But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Just to be clear, the emphasis in those scriptures was added. Still the truth is there. God calls each of us to be ready for the battles we are facing. We prepare ourselves in the times we wait in His presence. God gives us every spiritual weapon we need for victory. Put on the armor, wait, listen and follow His directions.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    If we learn the lessons of Pastor Paula’s Back to the Basics series, we will bring honor to the house of the Lord. Mastering those basics will allow us to gather others into the Kingdom of God. Waiting on the Holy Spirit comes with the promise of power from on high. Fresh anointing, and powerful outpouring of spiritual gifts begin with waiting.

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.” ‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬