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Psalms 25:5

"Waiting on the God of Our Salvation"

"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day" (Ps. 25:5).

We live in a "Must have it now society!" Waiting, patience, desire, even hope are foreign characteristics to the human race. This is especially so concerning spiritual matters. When things are going badly we want change now. When things are not going our way we want change now. This is true even in much of that which calls itself Christian. I am not suggesting that all of God's people are always great examples of waiting on God, however, God's people do wait on the God of their salvation, as imperfectly as it may be, we wait. We are taught to wait by experience even from the beginnings of our salvation in regeneration and conversion.

There are some things in which one probably should have a "Must have it now" attitude. A freight train is bearing down on you at fifty yards and you are stuck on the tracks in a car which will not start. "Now" is the time to get out and get off of the tracks! A last second car starting miracle is not what you want to wait upon. You stop at the fueling station and fill your car with gas, and "now" is the time to have the cash in hand for the attendant! But on a more serious note, here are some things where "now" is important (Js. 5:1-6; 4:13-17; Col. 3:8-11; Eph. 2:11-13; Gal. 4:21-31; 4:1-11; 3:1-3; 2:20-21; II Cor. 8:11).

But what about salvation? Does not the scripture declare "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" as a present reality to us today? Yes it does. But in II Corinthians 6:2 this is spoken to believers concerning their attitude toward the gospel ministry to give no offence that the ministry be not blamed. It is not spoken to unbelievers about the necessity of making a religious decision for Jesus today for tomorrow may be too late. In Isaiah 49, from which Paul took this, the context is a message of hope, even to the Gentiles, based upon God's mercy in Christ to Israel, in spite of Israel's faltering tendencies and in light of their rejection of the Messiah at His first advent. There is no, "God has done what He can now you do what you must if you are to be saved." See Isaiah 49:1-16. In Isaiah 49:8 notice that the context is past tense in the first part of the verse, thus salvation is an accomplished fact, and future tense in the second part, thus the results of an accomplished salvation are sure. Moreover, verse eight, as well as verses 5-7, 9 are clearly a prophetic message concerning the Christ of God, the Jewish rejection of Him, and Gentile inclusion in God's mercy (cf. Acts 13:46-47). Thus the gospel ministry is that salvation is accomplished [this is the day! Not, this can be the day if...] and this is the day in which God in Christ has reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto Himself (II Cor. 5:18-21). Let no believer give any offence toward that message!

The message for now, the message for today and this time is that the prophecies are fulfilled. We do not look for another day or another work of salvation. We do not offer Christ we preach Christ unto men declaring that those who believe Him are fully justified by Him and those who do not believe are confined to such even though they hear declared that the work is done (Acts 13:38-41).

You see, in our day men use this passage to propose, "Today is the day to make your decision for Jesus, for if you do not make your decision today tomorrow may be too late for yesterday is gone and you have no guarantee of tomorrow." Since the word "day" is used are we to take this then to mean that a person has 24 hours to make his or her decision? Some are so bold with pride that they proclaim to others that their only "time" to be saved is "now while you are hearing the message at this moment." What nonsense! When we see that the words "now" and "today" are indicative of this present age, in which Christ has reconciled the world of the elect, and not just some singular moment in time or some 24 hour period the silly nonsense of men flees. Does this "get it right now while you can" attitude of religion hold true to all accounts of salvation in scripture? Was everyone who heard from God told to "make a decision for Jesus" right then upon hearing? No! See Acts 9:1-9 and Acts 10:1-9. One can "make their decision today" and yet be perishing TODAY and afterward (Acts 8:13, 20-24). Am I saying that one should "put off" believing Christ and following Christ until some later time? Of course not! But I am saying that God must work in the heart, mind, and soul first, placing within the desire to know Christ and be found in His righteousness apart from all other righteousness. Where are those who declare our Lord's words seen in Matt. 5:1-12; Ps. 123; Ps. 62; Ps. 25:1-9? Where are those who encourage the seeking sinner to continue seeking until the Day Star arises in their hearts no matter what difficulties and obstacles arise? Easy believism and quick decisionism are two of modern day religion's most damning tactics. Conversion by God to Christ through the gospel is no easy and quick road. Along this road the sinner is led into the truth being taught by God and the lessons of the truth are very disturbing of what we once thought ourselves to be. We are taught that there is no salvation but Christ Jesus the Lord and that salvation is His to give. The conversion experience is much more than a 45 minute message heard under which one is "convicted" and then making a decision for Jesus at the alter call. While regeneration is an instantaneous work of God's Spirit conversion may take place over a relatively short or long period of time. The regenerated person, upon hearing the truth of the gospel of Christ, cries for God to lead them into His truth being taught by God Himself (cf. Jn. 6:44-45) and they come to see Christ as THE truth and they come to Him in faith believing.

Have you ever been there in Psalms 25:5? Once there this will always be your cry! The LORD will incline to hear you (Ps. 40:1-3). It is O.K. to believe God in Christ and wait upon Him. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (them who trust in Him)! Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness SHALL be filled. A person who "takes" the word of God apart from hunger and thirst is a religious glutton who gorges upon religious matters rather than feasting upon the person and work of Christ. Do you truly desire Christ yet He seems so far away? Rest assured by His own promise that He is very near to all who believe Him! Believing Christ is God's own gift to the elect through which they are joined to salvation by experience. Believing is not merely for some singular moment in time at the beginning of the salvation experience but for the whole journey of faith from beginning to end. Everything does not come at once in an instant upon our desire for it now. It comes when God knows we need it. Wait upon Him. All you need in this journey has been provided in Christ and God will teach you and bring you to experience it at the exact moment it is necessary.

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