Beautiful in His Time

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1,11

~Breanna

Patience, Waiting, Obedience

When the cloud tarried... then the children of Israel... journeyed not (Num. 9:19).

This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.

Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger -- there was no option but to remain encamped.

The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages. Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?

There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord's good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time!
--Daily Devotional Commentary

An hour of waiting!
Yet there seems such need
To reach that spot sublime!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS time!
"Sit still, my daughter"--
Yet the heathen die,
They perish while I stay!
I long to reach them--but I long far more
To trust HIS way!
'Tis good to get,
'Tis good indeed to give!
Yet is it better still--
O'er breadth, thro' length, down length, up height,
To trust HIS will!
--F. M. N.

Streams in the Desert - November 1, by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
~Brittany

In God's Time

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Mercy may seem slow, but it is sure. The Lord in unfailing wisdom has appointed a time for the outgoings of His gracious power, and God's time is the best time. We are in a hurry; the vision of the blessings excites our desire and hastens our longings; but the Lord will keep His appointments. He never is before His time; He never is behind.

God's word is here spoken of as a living thing which will speak and will come. It is never a dead letter, as we are tempted to fear when we have long watched for its fulfillment. The living word is on the way from the living God, and though it may seem to linger, it is not in reality doing so. God's train is not behind time. It is only a matter of patience, and we shall soon see for ourselves the faithfulness of the Lord. No promise of His shall fail; "it will not lie." No promise of His will be lost in silence; "it shall speak." What comfort it will speak to the believing ear! No promise of His shall need to be renewed like a bill which could not be paid on the day in which it fell due-"it will not tarry."

Come, my soul, canst thou not wait for thy God? Rest in Him and be still in unutterable peacefulness.

Faith's Checkbook - November 3,  by Charles Spurgeon
~Britttany

Encouragement ~ Praying for Your Future Spouse

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart.  And this I pray, that your love may about yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”  - Philippians 1:2-7a,9-11

Even though I very much look forward to when the Lord brings the special man He has created me to be a helpmeet to into my life, I sometimes struggle with discouragement as to when and how the Lord will bring him.  Sometimes it's hard for me to pray for him, partially because I don't know who he is or what he needs.  This, I know, sadly stems from a lack of faith.  The Lord is so good and gracious though.  I know that I should pray for my future husband.  I should do him good all the days of my life.  So even though I don't know him yet, I can still be helping him by being a prayer warrior for him.  The Lord has given me many reminders lately about faith and patience, and about being the woman He wants me to be so that I can truly best serve Him with my life.  That will help me someday to be a better wife.  (Marriage is not a goal in life, but rather a means by which the Lord chooses for His children to serve and glorify Himself.)

A few days ago I asked some family friends if they would be willing to share Scripture passages or other spiritual thoughts that are encouragements to be faithful in praying for one's future spouse.  One friend shared part of the above passage, which I was very blessed by.  It was very much an encouragement to me as to how I can pray for my future husband.  I decided to start compiling Scripture passages that I can turn into prayers for my future husband.  This was the first to go in that document.  Also, I put a small part of this passage in a picture, kind of as a substitute of that special man, as a reminder to be faithful in praying, and in patiently waiting and keeping my heart.

 I know this may seem somewhat silly to think, or worry about, or even share.  But I wanted to share it, because I know I'm not the only young person in the world dealing with these things.  I am hopeful that it will be a blessing and encouragement to others of you.  May the Lord help us all to press on to know and love Him more, and to serve Him with our whole hearts.  And may He also help us to be faithful in praying for our future spouses, as they need His grace and strength right now, and it will help us all to serve Him better in the future.

~Brittany

"The disposition... to leave the dearest objects of our hearts in the sublime keeping of the general and unspecific belief that God is now answering our prayers in His own time and way, and in the best manner, involves a present process of inward crucifixion which is obviously unfavorable to the growth and even the existence of the life of self."

- T.C.Upham, Inward Divine Guidance -

~ taken from Elisabeth Elliot's book Passion and Purity ~

~Brittany