1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

This morning I find myself in an unusual situation. Being a person who is prepared and somewhat in control, I feel confident when I have prepared well, edited and revisited my work before I release my devotionals to publication. I cannot do that today. My computer is in the shop with hardware failures and all my weeks’ worth of preparations is not available to me.

The question is when things don’t go your way how do you respond? Do you fall back into old habits, your old nature, or can you find confidence in the Lord and trust this new creation you have become? I will admit that it is easier to deal with the unexpected from a position which is familiar. What if the situation is laced before you to test those new legs of yours? Are you going to walk by faith or walk by sight?

This is me, here now, today, doing a cold reading. I have a choice to make excuses, as in the past, claim it isn’t my fault or I can press on towards my calling. Doing this blog or not isn’t going to make that much of difference to anyone. Or will it? I don’t know that. I have to trust in the Lord to use what I offer in ways only He can know why and how it will matter. Even if it is only me, well then, I’ve helped myself then haven’t I?

I only have one memory of needing to press on when my old man wanted to retire to his comfort zone. I pressed on and the result was wonderful. I can draw on that one time experience to build another opportunity. Pressing on and walking by faith is much like that. You build confidence in doing the right thing, by doing the right thing.

Eventually I will get my computer back. Today, I do a new thing.

Luke 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

There was a time when the words of the Lord were not understood even as He said them. The interesting part of this telling is than in verse 44 Jesus said, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears:” If you read this to mean understand His words as they are spoken, then were mistake His intentions. It was in hearing the words that they were placed into the memory banks of their brains to be understood later, at the appointed time.

This is a mystery for which I have no special answer as to when hearing transforms itself into knowledge. It would seem that circumstances dictate those appointed time. We must be careful not to force understanding on others as if we know God’s perfect timing. We frustrate one another by insisting on understanding. It can be received as judgment. It can be received as a slight.

Psalm 98:2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Let that be enough for the moment. Allow salvation to do its good work. Allow His righteousness to shine forth in you. Don’t push others to receive just because you have knowledge. Be sensitive to those who tell you they just don’t get it. It may well be hidden from them for a moment but that does not mean forever.

If others say or do things that make you feel less than what the Lord would have for you, ask the Lord for the words to handle the moment. Do not rebuke your teacher. Receive the words into your ears and wait upon the Lord for understanding.