Psalm 40:1, "I
waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."
This morning,
there are many that accuse the Primitive Baptists of not believing in duty, good
works, calling upon the Lord, confessing His name, and repenting of our sins.
May God continue to bless us, for I have never heard the first sermon from one
of our pulpits that espoused such a doctrine of devils. The difference between
these things is the purpose for which we do them. They do and act according to
the "reward" that the Lord will give to them. We teach this duty from a sense of
gratitude and thanksgiving.
The sweet Psalmist of Israel proclaims that he waited patiently for the LORD.
The key word in that expression, in my opinion, is the word "patiently." Many
times, we beseech the Lord to be merciful to us, and then we give up when it
does not happen immediately. There are two things that we must consider when we
beseech the Lord for things. The
first thing to remember is that the Lord is not obligated to do anything, for He
is the One who sets the bounds of our existence. He is sovereign, and He can do
whatsoever He pleases with His own. The second thing to consider is that the
Lord is not bound by time, and therefore, His actions do not have to be what we
would consider timely.
He promised
Abraham and Sarah a son that would not be delivered for 15 years. Many scoffers
today would claim that God was slack concerning that promise, but we are plainly
told that God is not slack concerning any of His promises. (II Peter 3:9) All of
His promises are in Him yea and amen. (II Corinthians 1:20) Therefore, we need
to be patient when presenting our supplications to our God. He knows what we
need and also when we need it. We may think that we need it now, now, now.
However, we may need it later, later, or never. Sometimes, I recall to mind
things that I have inquired after, and they, in retrospect, were things that I
wanted to consume upon my own lusts. Therefore, the Lord never gave me any of
those things.
But, when we ask
for the things that we need, He will supply all of our need. David said that the
Lord inclined unto him and heard him. The Lord has promised that if we ask
anything (that we need) in the name of Jesus Christ He will give it unto us.
Therefore, let us never think that God is too busy to hear, or that we should
try to do things without Him. Many times I am negligent to beseech Him for
specific
areas of my life, because I am either too proud or arrogant. He has to be the
One to do all things or we are headed for the broad way that leads to
destruction. Therefore, beseech Him, and seek that narrow way that leads unto
life.
In Hope,
Bro Philip
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