Topic: Beware of Haste
Text: Isaiah 28:16-17, 23-29
Key verse: Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever beliefs will not act hastily. – Isaiah 28:16
The one who walks with the God who holds the times and seasons must not act hastily but follow patiently. We live in a time when most people are under pressure and live in haste.
People are no longer willing to follow the natural course of life, alternative devices are being manufactured, chemical additives are relied on to hasten the process of growth, development, and maturity. All these have consequences on man’s health, society, and the ecosystem.
We have reviewed several mindsets and the influence these have on a believer’s ability to live in victory over life issues. Some are mindsets we must pursue to have, while others need to be purged out of our systems.
Today, our text clearly states that God has put in place certain cornerstones or pillars to guide the kingdom citizens. One of which is that those who believe and choose to live by faith, must not act hastily.
Have you noticed how difficult it is to wait on the Lord, the clock seems to move slowly on such days? The mind becomes so restless and impatient compelling you to take action and force things to happen. That was King Saul’s undoing when he failed to wait for Samuel’s arrival he lost the throne.
The get rich quick mindset is a manifestation of haste, when couples can’t wait till their marriage to know themselves intimately it is a sign of the mindset of haste.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. – Proverbs 28:20
Marriage is to be honoured by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery. – Hebrews 13:4
The crazy trend of betting to become a millionaire or engaging in all kinds of financial crimes are the results of making haste and looking for short cuts.
Short cuts take you fast to the top but lack of maturity to manage men, wealth and power can bring a person down when your secrets are exposed.
When ministers are not willing to be mentored like Elijah and Elisha had, or even serve their Moses until his season is over, the way Joshua did, all these are the outcome of being driven by haste, it only leads to evil. Leaders who lack the character and heart of Jesus suddenly find themselves ill-equipped to function and represent Christ well, because they chose to take the shortcut like Absalom.
Willingness and stupidity don’t go well together. If you are too eager, you will miss the road. – Proverbs 19:2
There are so many times when the scriptures command us to make haste; obeying God, listening to others, forgiving those who hurt us are just a few of those cases.
I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments. – Psalm 119:60
My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. – James 1:19
You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind. – Isaiah 52:12
Do not be a believer driven by fear, who makes haste to take paths God did not choose for them. We must be led by God rather than by fear. One Bishop l know says, “life is, turn by turn.”
May the Lord lead you in the days ahead, to move at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and not miss out on the timing of God for your life in Jesus’ name. Amen
Roses&Thorns