Discovering the Power of God’s Promises: A 6-Day Devotional Plan for the New SeasonSample

DAY ONE – SOIL

Waiting has never been my strong point. I am that girl in the supermarket who, upon approaching the checkout, is counting the items in people’s trolleys and calculating which person looks the most likely to take queuing seriously. I want someone alert, wallet out, poised to pay. We’ve no time for vouchers, people.

But in the kingdom of God waiting is preparation, not punishment, and as much as we may want to fight it, to live victoriously, we must learn how to wait well.

Jesus tells the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, cautioning us to choose good soil for our seed and showing us the results of choosing poorly. It’s helpful to remember that in the kingdom of God, seeds take many forms. For example, God’s promises are seeds which can grow fruit within a fertile heart that is free from contaminants such as fear, disappointment, jealousy, sin and other poisons.

Does the soil of your heart feel rich with faith? Is it being nourished by the Word of God and watered by the presence of the Holy Spirit? Or has it become dry out of duty, beaten by the storms of life or damaged by the enemy?

Abraham had to wait 25 years for his promise to be fulfilled (in Isaac) yet the Bible says ‘no unbelief made him weaken’ because he trusted the promise-giver. It reminds me of David who was anointed king over Israel, yet soon thereafter was relegated to tending sheep before he was trusted to shepherd a nation.

Waiting finds us in good company scripturally: Lazarus waited for a resurrection, Joseph waited to break free from prison and Jesus is still waiting for his Bride. We love the mountaintop experience, but it is in the valleys that often we find our greatest growth . . . if we allow God to teach us, mould us and prepare us for our next season.

Remember – purpose is not a destination, it is a journey.

Before you leave this study today, take some time to reflect on what your current season has taught you and how it has prepared you for what’s to come.

Reflect: How has waiting strengthened your character? Where have you seen God at work in the waiting?