God’s True Riches

In Romans 2:4, the writer is asking people if they despise God’s riches. Then, just in case folks are uninformed about what those wonderful riches are, he lists them. Here it is:

Or despiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering: not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4 KJV

God’s riches are:

Goodness- kindness, gentleness

Forbearance- putting up with us, giving us time to grow

Patience- self-restraint from One who has the power to act with retribution

When we think on these things, what a gratitude we can have! Everyone has something that God is working on in his/her life: love of money, pride, gossiping, gluttony, selfishness, etc. His constant goodness will help us to repent: thinking and living differently in His power.

Exercise: What is God working on in your life? Pray about it and in gratitude, look for His goodness, forbearance, and patience at work.

Priorities in Prayer

First things first.

If I’m going to get organized in life, I have to know what my priorities are. What is most important? What must be addressed first?

In prayer, most of the time (emergencies excepted), the priority is God- relating to Him and understanding who He is.

You can’t pray trustingly if you don’t know Him well.

So, how do you get to know Him well?

1) Meet Him daily in His Word (Scripture).

2) Praise Him for what you do know (C.S. Lewis says that we praise the things/people we love). You can do this by taking some Scripture and re-wording it so that it is a conversation between you and God.

Exercise:

Take this Psalm and pray it to God. See what happens in you and in your prayertime.

I sing to You, Lord a new song- one that I am learning just now.

I sing to You, Lord, and watch for all the earth to join me!

I sing to you Lord, bless Your name!

I proclaim the good tidings of Your salvation for me from day to day.

I  tell of Your glory to my friends and family- about what you have done for me and the nations.

I tell of Your wonderful deed among all the peoples.

For great are You, Lord and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 96:1-4 personalized

Praying About Rest

There’s a quote that I’ve seen several times lately:

Don’t rest from your work, work from your rest.

That could mean a bunch of different things, but when I read it, it speaks to me of this verse:

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength  (Isaiah 30:15, biblegateway.com)

Returning: to Who? God

Rest: How? in prayer and waiting

Quietness: Why? in order to listen and hear His voice

Confidence: in Whom? if we were capable of doing what we must or surviving the latest trial, we wouldn’t need God. He puts us in positions where we use up our talents or wisdom and can only persevere by our confidence that He will do the work in and through us- and that He will be glorified

What happens next? We are saved and find strength.

Assignment: Pray about the places in life you feel stretched thin or worn out. Ask God about it. Meditate on Isaiah 30:15. What is it saying to you?