WAITING FOR THE APPOINTED TIME: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 21 AUGUST 2018

THEME:
MEMORISE: For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3

READ: John 2:1-5

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

MESSAGE:
One Christian virtue that is gradually disappearing from the lives of believers today is the virtue of waiting for God’s appointed time. The story in today’s Bible text reveals the necessity of following the divine time-table for all events, even if it involves waiting. There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus was invited there, together with His mother, Mary, and His disciples.

While the ceremony was going on, they discovered that there was no more wine for people to drink. Mary came to Him and requested Him to do what only He could do. However, it was not yet time for this. Jesus’ response in John 2:4 reveals the importance of waiting for God’s appointed time:
 “……Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”

Mary’s response was equally noteworthy. She agreed with Him that the hour had indeed not come; nevertheless, the celebrants’ need required attention. She instructed the servants of the house that when the hour had fully come, they should do whatsoever Jesus instructed (John 2:5).

In obedience to her, these servants waited. Although we don’t know how long they waited on Jesus, we know that at the appointed time, He gave the instructions that put an end to the need at the feast. God will speak to your need today in Jesus’ Name.

There are lots of lessons to learn from the series of events that occurred at this marriage feast; first of which is that Mary’s instruction to the servants can be regarded as prophetic. She was confident that Jesus would do something about the situation. To avoid losing the miracle, she put the servants on notice to obey any command from Jesus. Another lesson for us is that Mary stopped worrying herself after she had taken the matter to the Ultimate Helper.

Many children of God worry so much that they become incapacitated, even after a word of prophecy about their situation has gone forth. A fellow who met me during one of my prayer walks at the Redemption Camp, Nigeria, asked me to pray for him and I prophesy to him, saying “God bless you”. To my surprise, he still asked me to pray for him. I wondered in my heart what other prayer was greater that “God bless you”- a prayer of blessing with no limit. I prophesy to a reader of this devotional today: “God bless you”.

May the Lord grant you the faith to receive this blessing in Jesus’ Name. The third lesson is that the expected miracle eventually came, even though they had to wait. This is the promise of God to a user of this devotional today: “All the pleasant prophesies that came to you before today shall come to pass at their appropriate time.” However, please do whatever God commands you to do. Be obedient to God’s word.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I receive the fulfillment of all Your prophecies into my life today in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 40-44, Matthew 23:29-24:14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!