“Better to be quiet, wait, and pray for the proper process to precede.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 11, 2024
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! John 13:37-38
I struggle with this tension. In my overly optimistic, helpful disposition–I can promise you what I can’t give you. In a moment of exuberance, my unbridled zeal can overcommit my will. I’m learning that clear understanding must precede costly commitment. Otherwise, I ignorantly and sometimes even arrogantly promise what I cannot deliver. It’s better to be quiet, wait, and pray for the proper process to precede. A helping heart needs time to learn how to best help. Wisdom under-promises and over-delivers!
Peter’s famous passion was called into question by Christ. The rambunctious disciple was answering questions whose actual ramifications he did not understand. He seemed more interested in his self-preservation of not being left alone without Jesus instead of following Jesus. Indeed, the Lord called him out as one who would eventually out his Savior by denying that he knew Him. Peter was not ready to die for Christ until he could speak up for Christ! Yes, authentic love is a bold witness when few are witnessing. Peter seemed to have learned this lesson when, later in life, he wrote, “I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me” (2 Peter 1:13-14).
Yet, under the Holy Spirit’s control, we can commit our will to catch up and follow at a sustainable pace. Patient prayers protect our pride from making rash promises to make us feel good at the moment. We can’t allow the desire to please a person to override our previous promise to first please God. Moreover, a cool-down period clears the air of unrealistic expectations. Emotions require a respite before they respond. Wisdom confers with a trusted confidence before it entrusts itself to another self. Discernment guides us in wise giving, but discernment takes time, so wait, pray, and trust the Lord’s way.
Furthermore, we are called to lay down our life for the Lord. We die daily to our selfish desires, so His desires have dominion. We die to self-reliance and come alive to trust God. We die to self-promotion and come alive to bragging on Jesus. We die to self-condemnation and come alive to our worthiness in Christ. We die to selfish taking and come alive to generous giving. We die, so our life hidden in Christ waits to be deployed into sacrificial service. We can rest in the Lord, as our prayerful promises have His timely delivery. Mature faith under promises and over-delivers! As Jesus reminds us, “You know that God expects us to abide by the oaths we swear and the promises we make” (Matthew 5:33, The Voice).
Prayer
Lord, help me to be wise with my words and commitments. Guide me to under promise and over-deliver, serving others with integrity and exceeding expectations. May my actions reflect Your excellence and reliability as I strive to be faithful and trustworthy in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Under Promise, Over Deliver by Tom Peters
Related Reading
Psalm 85:8, 106:12, Hebrews 8:6; 1 Peter 2:21; 2 Peter 1:4, 3:1; 1 John 2:21
Worship Resource
United: Say the Word
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