That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. John 6:16-17 (NLT)
This verse struck me during my meditation time recently. I mean it practically stood up and slapped me.
When Jesus still hadn’t come back, they left without him.
What happened here? They got impatient and left. Left without their Savior. Left without the one they committed their lives to.
Why? Because he wasn’t fast enough for them. One of the key words in this scripture is “still.” They’d waited but he still hadn’t come back to them.
![MP900178789[1]](http://henrym.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MP9001787891.jpg)
Have you ever grown impatient with God? Have you ever trusted him for something and nothing seems to be happening? Did you then take matters into your own hands?
We all have. Maybe we’re believing for a loved one’s salvation, or for a family member to be delivered from addiction. Maybe we’re believing for a job, or a house, or a breakthrough in some area of our lives. At one time or another, we’ve all reached the point where we decide he isn’t moving fast enough, so we take over.
And we all know what usually happens. In this verse, it nearly got the Apostles killed.
This verse reminded me of what one of our pastors once told us when we were eager to move halfway across the country. He said, “If you’re going to miss God’s timing, it’s always better to be behind him then ahead of him.”
The Apostles got ahead of him through impatience. And almost drowned as a result.
Is your prayer, God give me patience NOW?
Can you remember a time you got impatient with God? What happened?
Patience photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nutmegdesigns/6077050194/ via http://photopin.comhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Very interesting–both quotes. I never saw the apostles as getting impatient when they got in that boat, and the pastor’s admonition that it’s better to be behind God instead of ahead. Ministers to me.
Great reminder. This is our exact season—waiting. And that’s okay because I’d rather be where we are than get out in front of Him. One of the passages I’m reading right now is Joshua 3. In verses 3-4 I can see why we’re asked to let God go first and make the way. Sometimes we don’t know where He’s leading because we haven’t been that way before. So I’d rather follow Him into whatever He’s doing next, especially if it keeps me from the frustration of going down the wrong path. Patience pays off in peace.
The Apostles crack me up many times. Especially Peter and John. Sometimes the twelve seem like an out-of-tune garage band.
Our pastor’s quote has often saved me from doing something dumb.
Thanks, Tina. That passages in Joshua is inspiring. Blessings.