Tag: Abide

Wait Out the Wicked

Waiting does not seem to be very productive as pertains to getting on with things. Shouldn’t we be taking action to move forward. Shouldn’t we keep on going and not just sit and wait. Well yes, but we should be doing so with purpose of glorifying the LORD and not just taking action to move on. Our action for the LORD is waiting, and our waiting is allowing the LORD to work.

“34Wait for the Lord and keep his way,

and he will exalt you to inherit the land;

you will look on when the wicked are cut off.”

— Psalm 37:34 (ESV)

Our waiting is not just to wait out the wicked, but to wait on the LORD to act on our behalf. He will not allow is children to harmed to the point of eternal damnation. We have been adopted into the family of God and He will ensure that we join Him in glory when the time is right.

“32The wicked watches for the righteous

and seeks to put him to death.

33The Lord will not abandon him to his power

or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.”

— Psalm 37:32-33 (ESV)

The wicked are watching and waiting for us to falter. The wicked are going to pounce when it sees that we are vulnerable to manipulation. The wicked are opportunists. We have to be ready to wait them out for the wicked where they are patient, they are not as patient as the LORD. Once the die is cut and there is loss on their side, the wicked will move on having been cut off by the LORD (see verse 34 above).

You see, the LORD waits for us and does not abandon us in our time of need. It may seem like He is not there when we need Him, but the truth is that He carries us through the challenge and protects us from the wicked. We only have to remain faithful to Him and He will deliver us.

“5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (ESV)

We are to wait out the wicked as we are waiting on the LORD. Yes, the wicked has patience and is looking for the opportunity to attack, but the LORD is more and infinitely patient as He waits on us. He protects us and cares for us and loves us more that we can imagine. When we are in the LORD, we will be prosperous in Him and will inherit glory.

What is your patience level? Do you give in when things are not going the way you feel they should and allow the wicked to take hold? What if you were to live knowing that the LORD is infinitely more patient and will win out, all you have to do is continue to wait on Him, wait out the wicked, and inherit glory as the LORD carries you forward?

To Be a Disciple, Abide in the Word

Disciple: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as – b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual – Merriam-Webster Online

Again with the definition of “disciple”. The title of my writing this morning alludes to what it takes to be a disciple. Let me go a little deeper. Becoming a follower of Christ is easy in the actions needed, admit that you are a sinner and need saving and then accept Christ as the savior of your life. Easy by all accounts to do those two things. And then there is what it takes to become a disciple of Christ as you see in the definition.

“31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,’” – John 8:31 (ESV)

Abide: to accept without exception: to continue in a place – Merriam-Webster Online

There are other definitions of the word “abide” yet these fit what I believe John is referring to in the verse above. As we have become a follower of Christ, we will then begin our study of His word. In that study, we are to accept His word and continue in it to learn and grow in Him.

Whereas the becoming a follower of Christ is easy with the two actions I described above, the disciple part is much more challenging a there is a long commitment that requires daily attention. We are to follow yes, but as a disciple we are to accept without exception and continue the study and understanding of His word as we move through this world.

I myself have been a follower of Christ since I was about 14 yrs old. But I believe that I have been a disciple of Christ for only about the last 20 yrs of my 54. So there were about 20 yrs I went through life as a follower of Christ having only really taken the first two easy actions.

Being a disciple is not as difficult as we think. It is about dedication, devotion, and commitment. We are to be in the Word of God on a daily/regular basis. Learning all that we can to carry out that which He has for us to carry out. Being a follower of Christ is the easy part, it takes our abiding in Him and His Word to become a disciple of Christ.

What would you count yourself in your relationship with Christ? Are you a follower who has taken the first two steps? What if you were to abide in the LORD and His Word to become a disciple of Christ?