Week of God’s Promises
by Margaret D. Mitchell
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." -Philippians 4:6
Over coffee recently, I had the great pleasure of listening to a young woman’s story of how she met her husband-to-be at her workplace. The only problem was…he hadn’t proposed yet.
Now a year-and-a-half into their relationship, she still has a promise from God, which she received some time ago, that this man would be her husband.
So why the wait?
Promises…
God’s promises are yes and amen. He is not a man that He would lie (Num 23:19). He always fulfills His promises. And so goes God’s Word to deliver in due time while my friend offers up thanksgiving and praise…and while He prepares her for the marathon and ministry of marriage.
She understands that the burden is on God, not on her husband-to-be.
At this point, she doesn’t know how long her wait will be, only that it will happen in “due time,” in His “appointed time,” according to what He has revealed thus far during prayer.
Therefore, she keeps her eyes on God and continues to believe with expectation.
Preparation…
I’ve heard it said that many women spend more time planning their wedding than preparing for their marriage—certainly something to ponder.
I love that this young woman has come to realize that her wait is divinely purposed. God is giving her the luxury of an alert and of time to dig deeper into His treasury of scriptures on the topic of marriage and for Him to establish Himself more intimately as her First Husband (Is 54:5)…because she will need it.
James 4:8 tells us that as we come near to God, He comes near to us. What a wonderful invitation of intimacy with Him in a very special calling.
As she yields her will to His wait, He will equip her soul and establish her to lean upon Him for everything she needs in her marriage-to-be. He knows she will need this discipline in the years to come. And He loves her (and her husband-to-be) enough to provide them with a righteous foundation.
I love that she is seeing her new journey God’s way and is choosing to trust Him at His Word, beyond her current circumstances. There is nothing like faith strengthened, fertile for a harvest.
Practical…
There is also peace in preparation—both in the spiritual and in the practical. How wonderful to have the advantage of keeping it all in God’s perspective.
This time alone with God also allows my friend the luxury of lifting up wedding ideas to Him. She understands that God orders her steps and that He cares about details. What better wedding planner than The Holy Spirit?!
Interestingly enough, as I drove home from our coffee meeting, two billboards caught my attention along the highway—one advertising a bridal show in town for the following month, and one advertising wedding rings. Yes, God is on the move!
Fulfillment…
And while God is moving in my friend’s life, He’s moving in her future husband’s…by His grace. God knows just how to work in him, when to prompt him and where to position him to fulfill the promise in His appointed time.
Isn’t God amazing?
He really does have a plan to prosper our lives in every area. Jeremiah 29:10-14 tells us…
"'...I will come to you and fulfill My good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares The Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..."
For You…
What has God promised you? Do you realize He has not forgotten you, that He is always preparing you for the fulfillment of His promises on earth as it is in heaven? He will reveal them to you incrementally as you live out your life for Him. Coming to know Him in this way and exploring His treasures are two of Christianity’s greatest adventures.
It’s all for His Kingdom…building us to build for Him.
Thank you Jesus for Your love!
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. This devotional was adapted from Margaret's forthcoming book, Enduring Grace. All rights reserved.
Originally published Sunday, 28 July 2019.
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