God Is Not Rushed by Your Growth - Your Nightly Prayer - September 27

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God Is Not Rushed by Your Growth

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,”(Psalm 92:13-14).

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Do you struggle with patience? I know I do. From lines to traffic or waiting seasons, I’m always in a rush. Living in a world consumed with productivity and busyness, I struggle to slow down. Not necessarily because I don’t want to, but because I fear what will happen if I do. Can you relate?

The funny thing about struggling with patience is that if we struggle with waiting, we also typically struggle with growth. Things don’t grow overnight, even as much as we desire for them to. For example, when I planted some bulbs in my flower garden this past year, they took time, sunshine, water, and fertilizer to grow. That was part of the natural growth and maturation process. Life and life’s answers often come the same way.

In Psalm 92:13-14, we read these words: “planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” While this scripture isn’t talking about physically planting anything, it’s a reminder to all of us that God isn’t rushed by our growth (or lack thereof). Because God’s growth is never hurried or wasted.

As Christians, our job is to obey the Lord and share His love with others. Notice that it doesn’t include rushing the growth process. But it does include remaining in the house of the Lord. Planting ourselves firmly in His Word. Digging deep roots so that what comes out of us is a natural extension of Him and our relationship with Him.

When we remain in the Lord, we won’t just bear fruit; we will stay fresh and green! Even as we age, we will still produce good and lasting, eternal fruit because we’ve been planted in the house of the Lord and flourished in His courts. Today, you and I will continue to grow in many ways—physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. But what matters most is that we stay planted in the house of the Lord. That we remain connected to the vine and allow the goodness of Him to flow out of us and into others.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Jesus, when I struggle to rush growth or difficult seasons, please remind me that nothing is wasted. The process of growing is difficult and often hard to endure when life's storms try to uproot us. But Lord, you alone hold us down. You plant us in your house, and as we remain in you, you help us to flourish. Young or old, Jesus, I surrender my life to you. You’re good, and I trust you, Lord, even when the growth is hard. Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Purchase a small plant to have inside your home. Tend to caring for it every day. When you do, recite Psalm 92:13-14. Let it remind you that growth—slow or fast—is never wasted.
Go on a nature walk and look at a growing plant. Observe it on your walk for the next week and see how God keeps it rooted in firm soil. Let this serve as a reminder to remain planted in Him.
Ask the Lord where you’re trying to rush through a growing season. Talk to Him honestly about this and ask Him to help you enjoy the journey.

Agape, Amber

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/perfectlab

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

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