Waiting on God Continually

Recently I was encouraged by a church gathering and the edifying fellowship we shared together.  One of the recurring exhortations was for those who are not regularly reading the Bible to make it a priority moving forward.  While I believe this is of critical importance in the life of a Christian who walks in victory, quantity does not equate with good quality.  We can read pages and chapters of Scripture that wash over us, and we may not have a memorable verse, phrase or word we carry into the day by aligning our outlook and lifestyle with it.  We can be in such a rush we do not remember a thing!  When we are already reading the Bible, reading the Bible "more" is not necessarily feasible--and will be of nominal help unless we believe God and put what He has said into practice.

While we might not be physically able to kneel before an open Bible, sit with the Scriptures open or hear it read to us, we can live in consideration of what God has spoken to us continually.  Rather than walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners or sitting in the seat of the scornful, Psalm 1:2 shows those who love God consider His word always:  "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night."  In addition to reading the Bible, we learn praying continually is God's will for us as is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:  "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  This does not mean we cannot hold down a full-time job or cannot work with our hands because we must always be on our knees with hands folded or arms raised to God in prayer.  Our praying does not concern the posture of our bodies but a relationship with God where communion is embraced as we seek God.  Whether in bed, at home or work, we can look to God in prayer without ceasing--and still have a good night's sleep and be productive in our labours.

I came across Bible passages this week that shed light on our responsiblity before God in reading the Bible, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing and in everything giving thanks.  Leviticus 24:4 outlined the responsibility of the high priest under the Law of Moses:  "He shall be in charge of the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD continually."  The priests needed to ensure the lamps in the tabernacle or temple were filled with oil and the wicks regularly trimmed, for they were to burn day and night in the holy place.  The priest's diary and schedule was oriented around making sure the lamps continued burning always.  This reminds me of the commitment required when smoking meat.  Long cooks require preparation and careful observation throughout.  To maintain the ideal temperature as night falls, adjustment of oxygen or fuel will certainly be needed.  Being in the midst of a cook impacts my plans for the whole day and I have even awakened at night to check temps.  I am not always sitting next to the smoker or looking at my digital thermometer, but it is in the front of my mind.  This is the idea behind continual reading and praying, that our lives are planned around it as a daily practice that is not restricted tomeetings at church or an hour of prayer.

Even as offerings and sacrifices were to be offered to God continually, we ought to do as 1 Chronicles 16:11 exhorts us:  "Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore!"  As we seek the LORD throughout the day, there will be opportunties to repent when corrected, put our trust into practice by obedience with strength God supplies, and to praise God for His faithfulness.  We are called as Christians to present ourselves as living sacrifices to the LORD as our reasonable service to Him who saved our lives at the price of His own blood, and what our Saviour has said and done ought to impact our whole lives as we keep coming back to Him throughout the day.  He doesn't leave us, but we can be distracted from Him.  In our reading and praying we should do as Hosea 12:6 says:  “So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.”  Waiting on the LORD does not mean a cessation of all other activity, but it is intentionally seeking Him with intent to always do as He says.