October 23, Day 296 – Focused On Positive Outcomes
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
Psalm 119:81-88 reveals how the Psalmist felt as he waited for the Lord to “punish his persecutors” (verse 84). Here, we understand that God’s timetable is different from ours. It is difficult for us to wait because our impatience grows with our anticipation. But God never becomes impatient; He is always right on time and never late. God, Who orders time, also stands completely outside of time with its limitations and requirements. While waiting, the Psalmist felt like “a wineskin in the smoke” (verse 83). This expression refers to the ancient practice of filling new wineskins with new wine and then exposing them to the smoke of a hot fire. This practice initiated the maturation process for the wine and for stiffening the wineskins. Although useful for the wine and wineskins, this action has little value for the individual [i.e., the Psalmist] because it implies a long wait. However, the Psalmist emphasizes that, during the wait, “he did not forget God’s decrees” (verse 83). Often, while waiting, we wonder if something will ever happen, but it is instructive to note here that waiting is not dead time. We can use our waiting time focused on positive outcomes – “hoping in God’s Word” (verse 81); “looking for His promises” (verse 82); “remembering His decrees” (verse 83); “trusting in His commands” (verse 86); “adhering to His precepts” (verse 87); and “obeying His statutes” (verse 88). If God requires us to wait, He also gives us a lot to think about and to do during our times of waiting. As we wait, may we follow the Psalmist’s example – let us never give up!
In Jeremiah 48:1-49:6, Jeremiah now turns his attention and his prophecies toward Moab and Ammon – two perennial enemies of Israel. The message to Moab is especially graphic: “Moab will be broken; her little ones will cry out; ‘Flee! Run for your lives! Not a town will escape; and she will be laid waste. Her towns will become desolate, with no one to live in them’” (verses 4-9). Moab would be judged and destroyed because she “defied the LORD, she ridiculed Israel, and she was filled with pride and insolence” (verses 20-42). However, God would eventually “restore Moab in days to come” (verse 47). In today’s reading, similar judgment is also pronounced on Ammon (cf., Jeremiah 49:1-6). Ammon would “become a mound of ruins and its surrounding villages would be set on fire” (verse 2), but “afterward, God would restore the fortunes of the Ammonites” (verse 6). Both of these examples reveal to us God’s response to the sins of pride and arrogance. These are the worst kinds of “hidden” sins because they occur in the heart and precipitate every other form of sin. We must guard against them. Also, we see God’s mercy and forgiveness in restoration.
2 Timothy 1 informs us of Paul’s “constant remembrance of Timothy” (verse 3); his loneliness (verse 4); his sufferings (verses 8-12); his joy about Timothy’s spiritual growth and faithfulness (verses 4-5); his challenge to Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God” (verse 6); and to persevere in the faith (i.e., “keep the pattern of sound teaching” – verse 13). We are to “guard the good deposit that was entrusted to us” (verse 14). This section represents Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in his church leadership responsibilities at Ephesus. We see here that Paul also spent some time waiting, but, like the Psalmist, Paul’s wait was focused on positive outcomes – serving the Lord, practicing the activities of Psalm 119:81-88, and encouraging Timothy in his ministry. Paul had no time for dead time.
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