Manna for Your Morning

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  — John 11:40 (NKJV) When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6). Mary and Martha may have thought Jesus forgot about them or that He didn’t care, but it was all for the glory of God. What seems to us like a delay, may be a prelude for the glory of God to be shown. Don’t get down in the dumps during the delays. Instead keep believing and watching with expectation for a mighty move of God! Instead of another healing, John 11:43-44 records Jesus calling a man who had been dead for four days out of the grave. That relationship or situation that appears lifeless in your eyes, can be resurrected and given new life, all for the glory of God. As a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, many of the Jews who saw what Jesus did, believed in Him. (John 11:45) As God’s glory is revealed in your life, many will see and belie...

Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NASB) Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; (Proverbs 29:18a AMP) The Message Bible says, If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18) May we write God’s Word on our hearts and run with the vision He has given. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. — P roverbs 29:18 (KJV)

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. — Luke 2:15-16 (MSG) The shepherds wanted to see Jesus for themselves, and they ran to see Him, without delay. Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It had been just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:20 NCV) May we hurry  to see our Savior, and spend time with Him, every day that our heavenly Father gives us breath. Once we encounter King Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we cannot help but praise God and thank Him for everything He has done.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. — Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV) Our process of preparation, is often perceived as an unnecessary delay. However, between the planting of the seed and the gathering of the harvest, is the element of time. While we are in this process of preparation, let us develop patience. Though the vision lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and it will not delay. The vision God placed in your heart will happen at the appointed time. The Message Bible says: It’s on its way. It will come right on time. Amen!

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. — Psalm 40:11 (NLT) God is not trying to hold any good thing back from you. He is trying to get something to you. We don’t always follow God’s direction because we think our way is faster or easier. Just know that God is always working for our good. His love and truth are all that keeps us together (Psalm 40:11b MSG). What seems like a delay, may be a time of preparation. He is preparing you for what’s next. The LORD is not holding back on you, so don't hold back on Him. Give God your all!

But I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my help and my savior. O my God, do not delay! Psalm 40:17 (GW) Sometimes when we are in the thick of tough times, we may think the LORD has forgotten about us. We cry out for God to quickly come to our aid. Our hearts may cry out, "do not delay!" Let us remember, that God has everything that concerns us under control. While we wait for an answer, our heavenly Father is orchestrating events to come together at the perfect time, the appointed time. All of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16), including the day of our deliverance. When our situation unfolds, our response is often utter amazement as we look at what God has done.