“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Do you know the story of Joshua and how the wall of Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around it once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day? Why not just walk around Jericho one time?

I think it was because God was testing their faith. God was teaching them that waiting time is not wasted time.

Isaiah 28:16b says, “He that believeth shall not make haste.” God is never in a hurry, like we are. We get upset when we miss a section in a revolving door! God is also never late. He knows what He is doing.

Do you know what our problem is? We’ve been around Jericho six times and we’re ready to quit. Say with the psalmist: “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). (By Adrian Rogers)

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.-1 Cor.10:10   One of the most aggravating things in life is putting up with those who put you down. I’m talking about cronic complainers, people who can’t seem to make it through the day without finding fault and murmuring about something. It’s not quiet so bad when you’re not the target, but when the criticism is directed toward you it really gets tough to deal with.   I’ve heard all that stuff about learning from your enemies and I’ll admit there is some truth to it, but most of the time we are in no mood to be taught. I realize that there is usually a measure of truth in the complaints of our critics, and it would be good if we listened, but we usually don’t see it.   However, there’s something that I’ve noticed. More often than not the critic is on his way down rather than on his way up. Critics are usually worse than the people they criticize. After being a pastor for forty years I’ve noticed that our biggest critics have either dropped out of church or are in a liberal church. It doesn’t take a genuis to see what the problem was. The critic became the casuality!   This ought to serve as a warning to us when we’re tempted to murmur and complain. Before we point out the faults of others we need to think about our own. We need to examine ourself in the light of God’s word, confessing every sin. If we do that we will do a lot less complaining about others.

“Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” Romans 15:2

The Duchess of Kent was universally beloved. Once the Princess Alice, herself simple, sweet and unspoiled, asked her: “What makes everyone love to be with you? I am always so sorry to have to leave you-and so are all the others who come here. What is the secret, grandmamma?“

It was not easy for the noble woman to answer such a personal question. But it was important that it should be answered for the sake of her who had asked it, and who was indeed hungry to know the secret. So the noble lady gave this memorable answer:

“I was early instructed, that the way to please others-was to be sincerely interested in the things which interested them, namely their own affairs; and that this could be accomplished only by burying one’s own troubles, interests, or joys completely out of sight. Forgetfulness of one’s own concerns, a smiling face, a sincere word of sympathy, or unselfish help, where it is possible to give it-will always please others-and the giver equally so.” (by J.R. Miller, 1904)

“Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:33

Speaking in reference to the need for a spiritual awakening in America, I received an email that said, “Yes, and revival starts at home—-“. Good point–families are the building blocks of society. As the family goes so goes the nation.   J.R. Miller wrote, “Home is among the holiest of words. A true home is one of the most sacred of places. It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world’s perils and alarms. It is a resting-place to which at close of day the weary retire to gather new strength for the battle and toils of tomorrow. It is the place where love learns its lessons, where life is schooled into discipline and strength, where character is molded. Out of the homes of a community comes the life of the community, as a river from the thousand springs that gush out on the hillsides.”   As I read those words, I thought, how true; but most children today know nothing about a home like that. Those of us who are older, who live with fond memories of a happy home, need to realize that it’s not that way anymore. For many today home is more like a horror story. It is a place of heartache rather than happiness. As I think about what a family should be, my heart breaks for those who have never experienced it. They have no idea what a blessing they have missed and they are paying a terrible price for having been deprived of it. So is our nation.   Our nation needs an awakening, our churches need revival,and our homes need help, but it can only happen one person at a time. A nation, a church, and a family is made up of individuals. Before anything changes for the better it has to start on a personal level. You could be the spark that brings help to your home and healing to our nation. Ask God to revive your heart today. Only He can produce revival. He is our only hope!

And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD—
Jeremiah 31:17 ; Also read Psalm 37:37-40

Recently the vice president of a major airline told a group of travel executives, “I’ve never seen people as worried about the future as they are today.” High energy costs, a worsening economy, rogue nuclear nations, threats of terrorism, widespread job layoffs, and tension in the Middle East–all these make for uncertain times. A British newspaper recently reported on a survey that found one in four older people in the UK so worried about the future they are making themselves ill.

What a great time to remember the old Gospel hymn by James Rowe that says: “Dread not the things that are ahead, / The burdens great, the sinking sands, / The thorns that o’er the path are spread, / God holds the future in His hands.”

There may be tough days ahead, but the God who has been our help in ages past is our hope for years to come. He knows the future as well as He knows the past, and He promises hope for coming years. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know He holds the future. (Turning Point)

God holds the future in His hands, And every heart He understands. On Him depend, He is your Friend, He holds the future in His hands—James Rowe