Be Ready and Waiting (Part II)
The Lord spoke so clearly to me for 2015 to “be ready and waiting.” We saw in our last newsletter in Hosea 6:2&3 that after our Lord would revive us, He would then raise us up. Two thousand years has passed since Jesus’ birth. I believe the season of revival and the coming of the Lord is upon us. …But, God is calling His people to “be ready and waiting.” To “be ready” means to stand perpendicular; to set up; to be prepared; skillful. “Be waiting” means to await with confidence or patience; to look for; to bind together (perhaps by twisting; to tarry); to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner); to dance. Are you getting this? The Lord is calling us by His Holy Spirit to be alert, in a determined position with Him by communing with Him through His Word, worship, listening, meditation, and obedience, so that we may be in unity with the head (Jesus Christ). Wow! How powerful is that?
We often quote 2 Chronicles 7:14, but do we really get it? “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” This is a people who are “ready and waiting”. They will see revival. The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous (those who are in right standing with Him), and they will see healing in their land. Doesn’t that sound like revival?
How can we be ready and waiting? Titus 3:1 says, “…to be ready to every good work.” “But sanctify (to purify or consecrate) the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). The Lord is sanctified in our hearts as we are “ready and waiting”. Do others see that you have a confidence in the Lord because you have been with Him and because of His Promises that you hold fast to? Can you share with others this hope that you have in humility?
What are some of the Promises to those who are “ready and waiting”? We have seen that our land can be healed. “…Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (Ps. 37:9). “O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to you and sing praises (ready and waiting); for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower)" (Ps. 59:9 Amp.). “These all wait and are dependent upon you (upon the Lord) that you may give them their food in due season" (Ps. 104:27). “…Blessed are all they that wait for him” (Is. 30:18). “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Is. 40:31). “…For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (Is. 49:23). “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” (Hab. 2:3). Do you have a vision? …a vision for the lost or backslidden; for ministry; an occupation; a Scriptural Promise; a need; a God-given desire; etc.?
Our Heavenly Father is calling us to “be ready and waiting …so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7). He desires to be first in our lives. Will we allow Him that place?