Today's Devotion

November 10, 2010

Regaining Traction

After watching the Lord ascend into heaven, the disciples were probably wondering what to do next. They knew God had promised that the Holy Spirit would come and empower them, but in the meantime were they to just sit around? Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem so they couldn’t leave.

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James [the son] of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas [the son] of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:12-14 NKJV)

We see that they found something very profitable to occupy their time. As they waited they prayed. There are times when we get upended or bumped off course. If we’re not careful, we will lose purpose and waste a lot of time spinning our wheels. Because we can’t see how to make our way back to the original goal we are tempted to replace that goal with another.

Of course, the devil loves this. If he can redirect us, he has control. He will leave us alone as long as we don’t complete anything. What better way to waste our time than allow us to get almost done and then shipwreck us. If we don’t regain traction on the original goal, we might enter an endless cycle of incomplete ventures.

We need to wait patiently for the Lord; and patient waiting is prayerful waiting. The kingdom was on their minds. We know this because they had just asked about it (Acts 1:6). They looked for an earthly kingdom where the Jewish people ruled under the authority of the Messiah. If Christ’s leaving them caused them to give up on that hope, then they likely would have gone their separate ways. However, they remained faithful to that goal even if they were mistaken as to its real nature.

Of course, the real nature of the kingdom was spiritual, and they are about to realize that. The Holy Spirit is going to come upon them and they will see the birth of God’s glorious church.

But, what if they had left Jerusalem to retool? I ask from a human perspective as God’s decree is never subject to the will of man. Of course we have a human perspective and move through life evaluating things from that vantage point so the question is valid. One answer is they likely would have missed the blessing.

Has God put it into your heart to do something for Him? Has He called you to be faithful to witnessing, or could it be that He has told you to be more loving to your family, or maybe something even more visible like taking on a public ministry? Have you started to obey and then lost traction? Then maybe it’s time to pray. Don’t change directions if God has set you on a course. Sure, there will be times when we misread God’s intentions, but this too will become clear with prayer.

Let’s learn from the disciples who remained faithful and obeyed the Lord. If you get sidetracked, use the time to pray. Don’t let the devil send you down the proverbial rabbit trail. Stay on the course God has for you and there will surely be a great blessing ahead for you and others.