Monday, January 7: Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5 

It's hard to wait on God's timing. It's something that I really struggle with. Sarai struggled with waiting on God's timing too. She decided to take matters into her own hands and gave Hagar to Abram. I often wonder what Abram's thoughts were. Was he eager to enter into this union? Did he think God was taking too long to allow him to become a father? Who would be the mother of his many offspring...did Abram think it did not matter as long as he was the father?

Not only did Sarai not wait on God's timing, she laughed at the promise of a child. Do we also scoff at God when he answers our prayers not our way but His way?

In the NT, this verse stood out for me:

6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

As we are waiting on God, may we be confident that the desires and prayers in our quiet time are being heard by the creator of the universe and Giver of all good things.

The reading in Psalm concludes with this verse:

17 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,
    and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

I hear a song on the radio often that begins with the lyrics:

Remember the days that you prayed for the things you got now

Do we remember to thank God for his righteousness and for the blessings he bestows on us daily? I know this is something I need to be more conscious of doing.

2 Proverbs 2: 2

making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;

May this be our goals for 2019: To wait patiently on God's timing, be confident that He will hear our prayers and answer them, Praise God in all circumstances (even as we wait!), and may we seek to listen to wise teachings and commit it to our hearts through our words and actions.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15