Day 23 | 40-Day Lenten Fast & Devotional

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” -Psalm 37:7-9

Good morning, good morning, grace and peace, men, to all of you, my father's children. It is, in fact, day number 23 of our 40-day Lenten devotional  and our fast experience. As we kind of gear towards the apex or the  crescendo of this fasting period,  I want us to focus in this week on patience.

Yeah, patience of food of the spirit nonetheless it is a challenging experience to be patient this week. I know that god is going to stretch us in that area so I might kick us off. If we take a look at the 37th division of psalm 37 division of psalms. Psalms 37 and I’m going to just take a look really quickly at the seventh verse you're finding similar words: “be still before the lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes.” It goes a farther, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath. Do not fret, it leads only to evil. He continues in this dialogue that David puts out in the 37th division of Psalm,  which basically  gives the game plan for this warrior in the midst of a battle.

As opposed to being on the offensive, opposed to moving  somewhat without direction. He says, listen, don't stress.  But here's what really, really, really kind of challenged me in the text. It says, do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  So what he's literally saying to David is, David, listen, you're going to watch people do things that you think are actually working against you. You're going to watch them succeed, but don't trip.  You're going to see people with backwards moat. Don't trip. You're going to see situations that you think are finished. Don't trip. He said, I need to be patient. Here's the wild portion of patience. Patience says that I need to not act always before I let God move.

Sometimes we want to take things into our own hands. We come with that same notion. They must not know about me. Or they must think I'm boo-boo the fool or whatever the case might be. We say this oftentimes because we feel as though it's our personal–I don't know–agenda in order to equate some type of vengeance and or to rectify every situation. And God's saying true patience lies in your ability to let me in.

Not just let me handle it, let me handle it in the timing that I see fit. Let me handle it in a way that will force you for a certain period of time to have to watch it play out. This is a hard,  challenging experience for us because  most of us want to move to the place of reciprocity and God says ultimate, the ultimate side of really letting go and letting me control this, it’s going to be exercised by nature of your patience.

David had many enemies and at the time was sitting there perched on the verge of destiny, but still having to remain steadfast and patient. There are certain periods and places where David said, I don't feel king-like, but God said, I need patience. And so ultimately what we need to do as we travail through this period, it's time, is allow God's perfect patience to work through and with us till I've got to separate it, till I've got to work it out, even when we can't see it happening. And don't trip. Whether the plans look like they succeeded or not, if we genuinely believe that all things are working together for our good, then even their plans succeeding is a part of the plan to pursue to the place of your destiny.

Be patient. I guarantee you this week, God is going to try you in the area of patience. Be strong, steadfast and trust and know that he's got this!

Have an incredible Monday. I pray all is well. I can't wait. We'll be right back on tomorrow morning for day number 24, but you be blessed on this Monday. God bless you.