Devo Week 31 - Discerning the Unseen Realm

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.10:16

It’s All in the Timing - Listen and Learn

Moving slowly is key to discerning whether we are letting God fulfill His promises in our lives. Otherwise, we might be stepping in trying to fulfill them ourselves. And that never works. “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” (Prov. 20:21) God has sudden-lies, but as a general rule, we can see His wisdom in moving slowly — so we listen, not just hear, and learn, not just teach.

WHO IS FOR US

Jesus taught us the importance of waiting on the timing of the Lord. In the wilderness, when Satan tempted Him to turn the stones to bread, though He was hungry from fasting, He did not give in. Then, when Satan tempted Him with an early inheritance, Jesus didn’t take the bait. He refused to bow down before Satan.

 Jesus waited and trusted His Father. His inheritance came in perfect timing, following His death and resurrection.

WHO IS AGAINST US

If the enemy can’t get us to backslide, he will tempt us to frontslide. Basically, this means to go ahead of God. Essentially, this was the battle between Jesus and Satan in the wilderness. The devil tempted Jesus to act prematurely, out of the timing of His Father. Moving slowly, in one sense, was how Jesus overcame Satan. 

Waiting upon the Lord and moving slowly will guard and protect us in spiritual warfare. We do not want to go back in our relationship with God (backslide), nor do we want to get out ahead of God (frontslide). Either way misses the timing of the Lord.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

Lord, help us to wait upon You to fulfill Your promises!  May we be slow to speak and quick to listen to You and others. You are the Lord of timing!  Reveal Your image among the least, the last and the lost and empower us to join You in Your redemptive plan.  In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen!