January 6, 2012
I am studying Daniel and I never noticed that king Nebuchadnezzar was given an opportunity to repent before he went insane. After Daniel interpreted the dream about the tree stump, he told the king to, “break off your sins to righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy…” (4:27) But king Neb disregarded this, probably cause he thought such a thing would never happen to him.
And this got me thinking about all the times I was being called to repentance and ignored it.
For months before I got arrested, my coworker, Mike, was inviting me to church. I really had intentions to go, but I never made it. Someone would show up early Sunday morning and I’d get sidetracked – or I’d be catching up on some “much needed” sleep.
And the weekend I got arrested, my friend’s daughter asked me to take her and her grandmother to church. I agreed – then went out of town anyways and didn’t take them. And I didn’t return back to Phoenix that weekend either. That was my last call from God till He picked me up out of my mess and spoke LOUD and CLEAR! I definitely heard Him then!
I read in a devotional today that God knows how difficult waiting can be. He knows the pain you feel when you wait a long time for something you dearly want. After all – He waited for me to admit I needed a Savior. That must have hurt Him so much to be rejected for 6 years of my life.
So now, when I think how my sentence is 6 1/2 years, and how I am waiting on Him to come through and bring me out of this place – it makes it a lot easier to wait with patience, because I know how long He waited for me. And each day I wait – my trust increases – my faith increases – and His grace increases!
And now, like Nebuchadnezzar, I can say
“At the end of my days, I lifted up my eyes unto heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High.” (4:34)
Because like him, my understanding has also returned to me and I will bless and praise Him all of my days!
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