Dear Diary,
Giving the sovereign God ultimatums, dates and deadlines; does it work the magic?
There are seasons my hope has come with ultimatums, “God, you know how patiently I have waited for/on/in You! You know, sometimes I desperately need a quick fix but You’re just there, You don’t act speedy!”
Ain’t kidding, not once or twice I have given God deadlines to come through for me and I threaten if He does not, I would walk away from trusting, believing and hoping in Him. Dear diary, today I was just reflecting on how I used to throw tantrums when God didn’t instantly respond to my desperate calls. God, you remember when I prayed, “God if you don’t give me a hubby by my 23rd, 24th, 25th birthday I will backslide; I will not praise you; I will not even ask You again!” Remember those months I had severe dysmenorrhea and I prayed, “God if you don’t take this pain away by next month, I will go out there and have a baby.” Hehe, ‘God, did you LOL at me?’ There is this day I was desperately in need of a job and I prayed, “God, if you give me that job by mid this month, I will give you my first salary.” Arrrgh! I didn’t get it that time. Then, there is this time I used to be so poor, and only had one pair of shoe (Jesus’sandals) and a ka-short skirt which was my ‘Sunday best’ then I’d desperately plead, “God if you don’t give me another pair of shoe by next Sunday, I won’t go to church (though I lived within the church compound).” Mehn, the list is endless, I mean, I have set dates and deadlines for God, but who sets dates for God!! My work is to trust that He will bring out the best in me when that time comes or when that season is over.
Today in my devotion, I was reading Luke chapter 1, about Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. “6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Amazingly, they continued to trust in God. In fact, Zechariah continued to perform his priestly ministry. “11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Wow! What a holy challenge? This man continued to serve God gladly, he continued to pray and trust God even when the situation was hopeless and barren. He didn’t cease to praise, believe and trust God. He didn’t God dates and ultimatums but continued to serve Him; praying; waiting with expectation and anticipation; he continued to offer incense.
Now, you see, several times I have given God ultimatums but it didn’t work. But God has graciously dealt with me. In His time He has made things beautiful. His peace saturates my soul. Over time, I have grown; I no longer issue God ultimatums. I count on God’s FAITHFULLNESS. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Luke 1: 37, “For no word from God will ever fail.” Aliyeniahidi, atatenda kwa wakati wake.
Dear heart, here is the secret, “Wait... with expectation. Wait... with anticipation.
Wait... I will worship You, Lord, while I wait.” Why? Because I have learned that God has good and great plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Wait... I will worship You, Lord, while I wait.” Why? Because I have learned that God has good and great plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Regards,
Faithful Scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
Faithful Scribbler,
NzakuNashipae
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