Payphone or cell phone? MP3 or antique gramophone? Computer screen or chalkboard? No contest. We are a technology generation.High-tech wins. It’s great but has one major flaw. Technology produces impatience. If the internet connection doesn’t open in less than ten seconds, we tap our fingers or click the mouse. Email or text messages beg for immediate reply. Do we treat prayer the same way? Pray. Click. Send message heavenward. Pace the floor waiting for instant message reply. Frustration follows when there’s no immediate response. God anticipated this reaction. He responded long before you asked. His answer? Waiting produces strength.
“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 40:31, Holy Bible, King James).
Prayer : Lord, I have faith but little patience. Strengthen me while I wait. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Psalm 66:5, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
Baby takes its first breath, lungs filling with air and cries at being thrust from the safety of the womb into bright light. That first cry brings life, hope and dreams. When the baby’s mother is wheeled to the curb at the hospital, going home, optimism blossoms. She visualizes her baby in the future. First tooth. First steps. A smiling kindergartner in cap and gown. She sees happy days with a bright future, not thoughts of tragedy awaiting the warm bundle of life cradled in her arms. Although death begins at the moment of birth, the mother acknowledges only life and hope. Jesus, recognizing His destiny to die, said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18, Holy Bible, King James).
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James).
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5, Holy Bible, King James).
“Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:27-29, Holy Bible, New King James).
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:23-24 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)