“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 37:7
What were the instructions of the risen Christ Jesus to the Apostles for the time after He ascended once more into Heaven?
WAIT.
Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Even when we witness Christ crucified and resurrected, we must not get ahead of His higher purposes and timetable.
What did the Lord say to frightened Apostles when He appeared suddenly in an upper room?
Luke 24: “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
John 20:Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
In fact, what had Jesus spoken to His creation of the wind and sea when the Disciples in a boat with Him had thought they might perish by drowning?
Mark 4:39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
He offered the blood and sacrifice of His peace for the sake of those He loved.
Jesus had assured that His peace will remain with those who have faith in Him.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jesus had often instructed the Disciples of the Source of His peace.
Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed…
Be still and know that Jesus IS Lord.
Pray to the Father and He will send you the Spirit.
Jesus tells a parable of a great wedding feast.
(Do Christians not expect to receive the invitation of our Lord to this glorious joining of the church to her Bridegroom?)
One wanted to celebrate the wedding feast without an invitation. He did not wait for the invitation, but just showed up as an uninvited guest.
Matthew 22:12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’
And he was speechless.
It’s the same word: Before the King, the man had to be still. He had nothing to say.
13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
WAIT! on the Lord.
Pray; and He will send the Spirit.
If the Disciples of the first century always seemed so distracted, how much more the distracted christians of this twenty-first century.
Be still. Pray. Wait for the Spirit. Then obey our Lord.
Psalm 25
English Standard Version (ESV)Teach Me Your Paths
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame…
Jesus IS victorious over sin and death!
Jesus IS Lord. Let us pray for His paths.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Be still, beloved believer.
Pray and wait for the Spirit.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Lord, Jesus, You have died for my sins.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
We wait for You, Lord Jesus.
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