Scripture Psalm 130
Today I’m collaborating with #shereadstruth to write a devotional on Friday during lent. This week, we’re focusing on Psalm 130.
Waiting isn’t something we do very well in our culture. Waiting the 45 seconds for the computer to boot up feels excruciating, we can’t wait to upgrade from 3G to 4G because Instagram is taking too long, we get frustrated when someone with 16 items go ahead of us in the 15 items or less lane (and yes we counted, because we had time to waste), we wait in traffic thankful no one else can hear our road rage.
But we’re told in verses 5 and 6 to wait expectantly on the Lord. Looking and waiting like a watchmen for the morning. This is active, excited waiting. We are supposed to watching for the Lord, waking up excited to see Him. Not tapping our foot, not frustrated about unanswered prayers, but hoping in the promises of His Word (v. 5).
Yeah, well. What does all this patient waiting get us?
I’m so glad you asked. We get mercy and loving-kindness and plenteous redemption (v. 7). God promises to redeem ALL our iniquities. All God wants from us for complete redemption is waking up excited to see Him, excited to read His precious love letter to us.
This past weekend was Devoted Conference with my church. I was instagraming about it the whole time. There is something so special about Christian women loving on Christian women for an entire weekend. Taking a few days to put away the comparisons and the judgements and the inadequacies and the lies we’ve been believing, to roll around in the complete acceptance of God’s love.
Something else that happens during these women’s weekends is that I get the chance to connect with women I only see for a few minutes once a week. I get the opportunity to listen to their stories. These stories are full of revelations, hurts, and big forgiveness. The attitude of the conference saturates people and makes them softer in places they’ve been hard for too long. They feel more comfortable to share and to listen to the hard stuff.
I just wanted to touch on a few highlights from each of the four speakers we had at the conference. There were multiple messages and I’ve taken pages and pages of notes, but here are some things that really struck a chord in me.
Sharon Kelly:
- God designed women with influence. Adam chose a woman in the garden over God. (Genesis 3)
Holly Wagner:
- Awaken from what is holding you back and awaken to what God is doing. (ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! Isaiah 60:1 from the Amplified)
- There are specific assignments that you’re designed to do. Don’t let the day-to-day keep you from your destiny. (Romans 13:11)
- When battles come on all sides (because they never come just one at a time), don’t forget that we have a cause great enough to overcome fear. God has equipped us for our purpose, no one else’s armor is better made for your battle.
Wendy Treat:
- Stop comparing yourself to other people and trying to put on their attributes. We are to rejoice in who we are individually. God has chosen you for who you are. (Deuteronomy 7: 6-7)
- Use every endeavor to help yourself. Take the miracle of today and keep the healing for tomorrow by making positive changes. (He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide. Proverbs 18:9 from the Amplified) Don’t let yourself commit suicide from all the hurts you are carrying with you.
Lisa Osteen Comes:
- Going through big trials means that God has big plans for your life. And no one can stop God’s plans from coming to pass in your life.
- The very thing we think is going to destroy us is what’s going to catapult us to the next level.
- Speak God’s promises over your life in faith.
- In 2014 God will redeem. (Isaiah 61:7)
