"Learning to Wait
Living with confidence involves emptying myself of all self reliance. Man can never be more powerful than that on which he relies. If I rely on myself, I can only be as strong as myself. To be stronger than I am, I must rely on Someone greater (Psalm 37:3). Let me suggest four steps to emptying ourselves of self reliance: (1) Count self's abilities as nothing (Philippians 3 and 4); (2) Hunger for God's empowering (Philippians 3:13-14); (3) Learn to pray effectively (Philippians 4:6-7); (4)Trust (Philippians 4:11,12). Trust always acknowledges God's control and never leaves it to its own persuasions. Trust necessitates that I understand the meaning of true humility.
Humility involves: A right perspective of God - true humility is not centered in my inadequacies, but in His magnitude (Isaiah 6:5); a right perspective of myself - humility is not self-degrading, but self-accepting; a right perspective of others - humility will never let me exalt self by degrading others.
God will never make us more fruitful than our humility will allow (I Peter 5:5). I've listed for your study several attitudes to be considered when leaning on the Lord:
1. Perspective - rather than concentrating on the visible, perceive the invisible (Isaiah 40:31).
2. Direction - let Him direct your path; we commit our ways, He directs our paths (Proverbs 16:3).
3. Obedience - moving only at His direction (Psalm 123:2).
4. Patience - wait with assurance on Him (Luke 2, Simon; Romans 8:25).
5. Attitude - make proper responses to pressure (Psalm 62:5 and 6)
6. Confidence - know God will equip you for the task (I Samuel 21:9)
7. Submission - know the Lord will complete His task; 'Be still and know...' (Lamentations 3:25,26)
8. Non-defensive - don't defend your position (Proverbs 20:22)
9. Sacrifice - giving self to fasting and prayer; begin to see as God sees (Isaiah 58:11)
10. Faithfulness - remain faithful to your duties (Hosea 12:6; Psalms 25:5; Acts 1:4).
Learning to lean,
Pastor Ron Mehl"