Boomerang

August 31

Boomerang by John W. Ritenbaugh

 “All you beasts of the field, come to devour,  All you beasts in the forest.  His watchmen are blind,  They are all ignorant;  They are all dumb dogs, They are sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs  Which never have enough.  And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain,  From his own territory.  Come, one says, I will bring wine, and we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant."  Isaiah 59:9-12

Do these prophecies describe America?   "Everyone is given to covetousness, greedy dogs which never have enough.  A Protestant saying is that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  An anonymous wit paralleled this, saying the U.S. motto should be, "The chief end of man is to glorify prosperity and enjoy it forever."

A European observer wrote that "desire is enthroned in the mind of the American consumer."  We are immersed in a constant barrage of advertisement.  Our whole economy works to stimulate our desire for food, clothing, automobiles, furniture, jewelry, and travel, filling our minds with the "gimmies."  It is difficult to resist unless our focus is disciplined toward going in the right direction.

Because of these sins, God calls upon the nations to devour His people. The leaders are blind to the nation's real needs because, instead of speaking out and acting upon moral issues, they are embroiled in their own lusts.  While America sinks into the quicksand of that way of life, they proclaim an even better and brighter tomorrow!

Another reason why coveting has the power to destroy the coveter is revealed in the credit purchasing system that dominates the American economy.  Buying on credit is based upon the idea of possessing something before one can afford it.  Advertising usually accompanies credit, and the two of them together seductively lure the unwary and weak. Yet because of the charges collected by the lender, credit actually makes things even more expensive, causing greater debt!

But, God asks in Jeremiah 6:9-13, who will listen?  People will not listen to such simple wisdom as delaying a purchase to pay in cash to save money. They will not listen even when told they will be able to make more purchases because they will have more money to spend.  They do not listen because their minds are on their sin, their lust for immediate gratification. The cycle continues onto other sins their covetousness motivates.

As a nation, we are living way over our heads.  Covetousness has boomeranged and caught us in a way we never dreamed.

"The masses are always wrong. In every generation the number of the righteous is small. Be sure you are among them." A.W. Tozer

YOUR tax dollars fund Planned Parenthood.

The name "Planned Parenthood" sounds innocent enough. There is nothing wrong with planning the size of your family. Unless you have unlimited wealth, there are constraints placed upon you regarding how many youngsters you can feed and clothe and educate.

But your planning should not include the brutalization of the unborn. Indeed, this is not what any person with a good heart envisions when considering the options available through the services of organizations like Planned Parenthood. In fact, they go to great lengths to assure that the reality of their methodology will not be revealed to you.

They have been exposed. None of us is any longer unaware of what they do to eradicate the inconvenience of the unwanted child. Equipped with this information, we must take the admonition of Tozer to heart--we must be among the number of the righteous, even though it is small.

Share if you agree that unborn children deserve better than Planned Parenthood!

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will help you; I will hold you up with the strong right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 40:10

Apprehension, anxiety, trepidation, fear--whatever we call it--that feeling is so intense as to be palpable. In a time when society seems to be unraveling and mankind appears to be on the brink of conflagration, many feel the inevitability of extreme conflict deep within themselves.

It isn't easy to trust when the people and the institutions in which trust have traditionally been placed seem radically changed and lacking in trustworthiness. It is difficult to maintain confidence when the foundation on which we have built it seems to be crumbling.

And indeed, the Word tells us that there will be a shaking; in fact, it says, "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken," Hebrews 12:27. And, therein lies our hope. It is only the things that can be shaken that will be shaken. As believers in Christ, our confidence, our faith is to be in HIM, and HE IS UNSHAKABLE!

Of Himself He says, "I am the same yesterday, today, and forever," Hebrews 13:8. There can be no surer foundation on which to build our life for time or for eternity than the One that cannot be toppled, no matter how hard the winds of adversity may blow or how high the waves that assail may rise!

Jesus has promised that HE will "never fail you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5, and that truth is the one thing that can dispel all fear.

God brought you this far....He won't leave you now!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand". Is 41:10

Dr. Ben Carson

Dr. Ben Carson spoke at the Iowa State Fair recently, and he brought with him an impassioned plea to bring God back into the nation’s political consciousness.

“We have to stop listening to these people who tell us that we cannot talk about God,” said Carson. “I wonder, do they realize that our founding document, our Declaration of Independence, talks about certain inalienable rights given to us by our Creator – aka God?”

Carson then said, “So, if it’s in our founding documents, it’s in our pledge, it’s in our courts, and it’s on our money, but we’re not supposed to talk about it. What in the world is that? In medicine we call it schizophrenia, a form of craziness.”

Carson has not shied away from his faith, but this is still a fairly new direction for the candidate. Up till now, Mike Huckabee and John Kasich have been pulling the religion wagon, leaving the rest of the field to pursue a more secular approach to politics.

And it’s tricky. When you start talking morals and God and religion, you risk losing the millions of Republican voters who could care less about Christian conservatism. There is a significant chunk of fiscal conservatives/social liberals who would never dream of voting for a Huckabee. The Reagan Coalition has fractured, leaving candidates to find new ways of pulling everyone back under the tent. And Carson clearly believes the answer lies in a return to religious conservatism.

“There’s nothing wrong with living by godly principles,” he said. “Of loving your fellow man, caring about your neighbor, developing your God-given talents to the utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you, having values and principles that govern your life.

“And if we do that, not only will we remain a pinnacle nation, but we will truly have one nation, under God.”

The problem, of course, is what social liberalism has done to our country. Young people don’t want to hear about morals and principles. Even older voters see the writing on the wall. The abortion ship has sailed. Family values? What does that even mean in 2015?

As politically dicey as it might be to launch a campaign for God, you can’t help but respect Carson. Even if you’re a dedicated atheist, his candor is refreshing. Together with Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, he represents a new breed of politicians who aren’t afraid to present the country with their true feelings.

After years of carefully-prepared speeches and poll-driven platforms, they are a breath of fresh air.
Preach on, Dr. Carson.

As a Man Thinks

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

We live in a society that has been purging God from our midst for a long time. There was a day, within the memories of a few of the older among us, when each school day was begun with Bible reading and recitation of THE LORD'S PRAYER.

There was a day when we as a people thankfully acknowledged ourselves to be "a Christian nation," a day when our presidents affirmed rather than negated our godly heritage.

No matter what your political persuasion may be, whether you are a conservative or a progressive, you cannot deny that an unfortunate reality of our day is the rampant increase of lawlessness in our land.

We live in an age when thuggery is excused and defending the law is scrutinized. From the demands of illegal aliens who cross our borders anticipating hand-outs and free education, to strong-arm criminals who demand coddling by the police, we have become a people of misplaced empathy.
We slaughter innocent babies in their mothers' wombs and sell their body parts while we condone wanton criminal acts.

We don't blame the instruments used by abortionists or those who wield them for the murder of innocents, but we blame guns for the acts of violence perpetrated by evil men.

And how can we do otherwise, for our moral compass has lost its 'true north.' It was lost when we abandoned God and His law for the twisted perversion of His absolute truth by foolish men who profess themselves to know better than the Author of life.

We have lost our collective mind, and with it has gone our quality of life. May the LORD help us to find both again.

What Are You Missing?

August 29

What Are You Missing? By Lysa Turkeurst

A few summers ago, my son, Mark, was working at a family camp. While the mountains were breathtaking, the friends were plentiful, and the food was every teenager’s dream, he missed home. Not horribly — but just enough to tug on the vulnerable places of his heart.

I knew he needed some sweet comfort from home. So, I packaged up some things he needed and a few things I knew would make him happy and sent my gift of love.

After a few days, I kept wondering when I’d get a text message from him with smiles and thank you’s and “Wow! You’re the best mom ever.” A girl can dream right?

But no text message came.

Each day that went by I got more and more frustrated by his lack of acknowledgement of my gift. Then I started to wonder if he’d ever even received it. So, I had Art, my non-emotional husband, call because he could simply ask, “Did you get the package from Mom?”

Our son answered, “Oh yeah, I did get a box from Mom, but I haven’t opened it yet.”

What!?

Who receives a gift of love packaged up and sent to them and doesn’t even take the time to open it?

In that moment I felt the Holy Spirit prick my soul, “Lysa, sometimes you do this very same thing. Oh, if you only knew the number of experiences God Himself has packaged up and sent your way that you didn’t take time to open . . .

Or the number of times God has planted a bunch of wildflowers at the end of your driveway just to make you smile but in the rush of where you were headed, you didn’t notice . . .

Or the number of times God has treasures in His Word waiting for you to uncover that would perfectly prepare you for something you’d be facing that day if only you’d lingered with Him a little longer.”

Psalm 14:2 says, “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”

I wish this verse were worded differently. I wish this verse read: “The Lord looks down from heaven to see MANY who understand, MANY who seek God.” But that’s not the reality of the verse. And sadly, sometimes in the rush of all I feel I must do, it’s not the reality of my life.

I want it to be. But my soul is so prone to distractions.

Seeking — really seeking — is more than just reading a few verses in the morning and trying to be a good person that day. Seeking requires me to sacrifice the things I feel compelled to chase after so that I can be available to notice God’s clear direction.

Whatever we chase, like it or not, gains our full attention.

And I wonder sometimes why I feel a little insecure — a little unsettled — a little disappointed with things I thought would make me so happy. I guess you could say sometimes I get a little homesick.

While I love vacationing here in this world for what I think will be 80 years or so, I know where my real home is and I know Who is waiting for me there.

And now I know He takes time to tie up little care packages from home — a few things I need and a few things He knows will just make me happy.

Then God waits . . . to see . . . if I’ll notice . . . if I’ll remember . . . if today will be the day . . . that I lift up my face . . . pause in the busyness . . . and really seek Him.

Be Still

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seats of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalms 1:1-2

We are living in trying times. It is an age of confusion and anxiety and deception. We want very much to trust our leaders and to rest on the prosperity of a booming economy but often we are disappointed in both...because no man or governmental or financial institution can provide the longing of our hearts.

As the world we live in seems to spin more and more out of control, we are becoming acutely aware that not only those in whom we have voted our confidence but we ourselves are incapable of supplying an anchor in life's increasingly turbulent waters.

Yet we read Psalms 1:1-2, and we are encouraged to hope in the One who is unfailing in His ability to open the way before us when there seems to be no way. We are reminded that He is perfect and that His law is immutable.

We are reminded that as we focus on Him, the tumultuous waves that are dashing our craft mercilessly upon a stormy sea of confusion and fear will abate; our anxiety will subside, though the winds and waves may rage around us.

And when we do, we will, "be still." We will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus through the storm, knowing HE assures our safe arrival home.

The Way-maker

August 28

The Way–maker by John W. Ritenbaugh

“It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will march with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm,” Deuteronomy 31:8.

Jesus, You are the Way and You are the way-maker. I will follow You as You go before me and prepare the way for what is ahead in Your plan.

I know that You will see to every detail so that what needs to be done will already be done before I arrive…the path revealed, the direction confirmed, the way established. I trust in You to unlock the doors that need to be opened, loosen the things that need to be untied, and remove the hindrances that need to be taken away.

I ask You to provide for all that is needed as I walk along your appointed path. Open my eyes to see the way You are leading, give me the understanding to take the right steps, strengthen me with the patience to move at the right pace, and work within my words and actions to say and do things in the right way.

I trust in You to do what no one else can do, in ways that no one else can work, doing the wonders no one else can perform. Lord, I thank You that You will make a way!

Our Father is always trying to get us to the place of spiritual discovery… God has challenging futures for us.—William Brattle Oliver

God will make a way where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. —Don Moen

What's Next?

August 27

“But it seemed contemptible to him to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him Mordecai’s nationality, and Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout Ahasuerus’s entire kingdom, Mordecai’s people.” Esther 3:6

A 32-page ISIS document calling for open warfare against non-Muslims has been uncovered in Pakistan and authenticated by retired US Defense Intelligence Agency Director General Michael Flynn and other intelligence officials. The document has been compared to Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf”, the political manifesto in which the Nazi leader outlined his plan for the future of Germany and its Jews.

The ISIS document places the blame for the appearance of jihadi organizations like ISIS on the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The document declares, “No sooner had the British government relinquished control of Israel, Ben-Gurion, the leader of the Jews, declared the independence of the State of Israel, triggering a global migration of Jews to the Jewish State.”

The document, titled A Brief History of the Islamic State Caliphate (ISC): The Caliphate According to the Prophet, contains a six stage plan for the development of the Islamic State and for conquering the entire world.

In a blog post written by Geoffrey Grinder in Now the End Begins, the phases are laid out. The establishment of the Islamic State has already passed through four of its planned six phases and is currently in Phase 5. These are the stages according to Grinder:

Phase 1 “Awakening” 2000-2003: Islamic State calls for “a major operation against the U.S….to provoke a crusade against Islam.” [September 11, 2001]

Phase 2 “Shock and Awe” 2004 – 2006: Islamic State will lure US into multiple theatres of war, including cyber-attacks and establish charities across the Muslim and Arab world to support terrorism.

Phase 3 “Self-reliance” 2007-2010: Islamic State will create “interference” with Iraq’s neighboring states with particular focus on Syria.

Phase 4 “Reaping/extortion/receiving” 2010-2013: Islamic State will attack “U.S. and Western interests” to destroy their economy and replace the dollar with silver and gold and expose Muslim governments’ relations with Israel and the US.

Phase 5 Declaring the Caliphate 2013-2016: Not much detail offered here. The document just says, “The Caliphate According to The Prophet.”

Phase 6, Open Warfare 2017-2020:  Islamic State predicts faith will clash with non-believers and “Allah will grant victory to the believers after which peace will reign on earth.”

Phase 6 calls for open, worldwide warfare against all non-Muslims followed by a messianic vision of a peaceful era. The messianic vision of the document paints a picture of a world in which only believing Muslims remain alive.

The document’s author uses harsh words to make his point. “Accept the fact that this caliphate will survive and prosper until it takes over the entire world and beheads every last person that rebels against Allah. This is the bitter truth, swallow it.”

Breaking Israel News asked Rabbi Nachman Kahana, author and Torah scholar who lives and works in the Old City of Jerusalem, to comment on the discovery of this document and the threat it represents to Israel.

Kahana responded that the Talmud, one of Judaism’s core texts, states that God “will eventually send to the world a leader whose decrees will be as drastic as those of Haman, the villain from the Book of Esther who intended to wipe out all the Jews, in order that we, the Jewish people, will do teshuva (repent) and then the final geula (redemption) will arrive.”

In a related story, a brief, threatening video was recently released. Reminiscent of the Crusades, it shows thousands of Muslim soldiers suiting up to do battle with Jerusalem.

As an interesting aside to this report, the reader should know that islam anticipates the return of their jesus.  The jesus they expect is not the JESUS of the Bible for whom Christians are looking, who Christians believe will return again, nor is he the anticipated Jewish Messiah.

The muslim jesus will be the ‘second fiddle’ to their anticipated mahdi, who will come to establish Islamic rule over all the earth.  The muslim jesus, is as unlike the real JESUS as anyone could be.  The muslim jesus is neither compassionate nor loving; rather, he is a ruthless butcher who will slaughter anyone who does not accept muslim rule.

Don’t be deceived if you talk to your muslim friends about Christ’s return and they seem to agree with you.  There is a great gulf between their jesus and your JESUS.

The muslim madhi and muslim jesus correspond closely, however to the Biblical antichrist and false prophet.  The roles they fill in muslim eschatology are precisely those prophesied in the Bible to be those of the arch-enemy of the One True and Living God and his cohort in sin.

There will be much deception afoot as the time of the Lord’s return approaches.  The Bible tells us that “were it possible, the very elect would be deceived.”

It is a time to hold on to TRUTH; hold on to JESUS,  who will come to rule and reign, but He won’t use a muslim army to establish His Kingdom!

What Then?

What Then?

There is much discussion and much speculation regarding the significance of what many Bible scholars consider to be prophesy that indicates major events may soon unfold regarding Christ’s return to Earth.

Both Jewish and Christian students of prophesy speculate that the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, the Christians’ returning Jesus, may appear any time between mid-September of this year and mid-October of next year.

Believers and unbelievers alike are watching events unfold with heightened interest and anticipation of the occurrence of some major (or perhaps even cataclysmic) event.

It is exciting to be part of a time in history that seems pregnant with the possibility of the occurrence of the only event of eternal significance since the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord.

But, what if the time comes and goes and nothing happens?

Three things come to mind should the anticipated appearance of the Lord in the clouds go the way of so many other times men have stood watching the eastern sky without seeing anything but another sunrise.

One: Doubters will continue to doubt, and it will be a little easier for them now that the concern about being caught on the wrong side of prophesy has passed.

Two: Scoffers will continue to scoff. As the Bible indicates, they will continue to make a mockery of those who believe, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since time began, things continue as they were when the church fathers fell asleep!” II Peter 3:4

Three: Believers will continue to believe. People of faith in Christ’s finished work on Calvary and faith in the promise of His return will continue to hope in the veracity of the One who cannot lie.

Men’s study of His truth may not always render perfect insight into the things that are yet to occur, but His truth will always be true, for “JESUS IS … TRUTH.” John 14:6

School

School can be so many things to so many children. Master teachers can bring difficult subjects to life for the learners in their classrooms and help shy students to enjoy new friendships.

School can also be a drudgery for the disinterested child who seems to lack the desire to be availed of the good things offered there.

Parents have a role to play as their youngsters go off to school each day. Parents can be positive about the experience, encouraging the child to look upon the time spent in school in a favorable light.

Parents can invest themselves in reinforcing their children's understanding of the subjects they are learning at school, helping them to master difficult concepts and to become comfortable with all the material they're being taught.

Parents can arrange for their children to have tutors if the material is beyond the ability of the children and their parents.

Parents can be resolute in their partnership with their children's teachers; they can open the lines of communication with these important people early in the year and maintain them through frequent communication.

Beyond these important things is an extremely important exercise that parents must employ as they send their children off to the school environment--they should bathe their precious ones in prayer. That covering in prayer should include the children's safety; the children's interest and involvement in the learning process; the children's ability to relate well to their teachers and to other students; the children's academic and social success at school.

The parents should pray that the Holy Spirit of the Living God will attend their children and fill their children with the assurance of God's presence and protection and power with them.

The parents should pray that the angels of God will encamp round about their children and keep them safe from all harm and from all evil. The parents must bind the enemy of their children's soul and crush him under their heel and scatter him as fine powder--impotent to the wind--so none of his devices can every touch or undermine their youngsters in any way.

Parents should plead the blood of Jesus over their children and beseech the Lord to hold them securely in the hollow of His loving hand--not only at school but everywhere, throughout long, healthy, happy, blessed lives of abiding in His truth and thriving in His love.

Great way to pray for your kids each day!

Dhimmitude

Franklin Graham Objects to New $250K Muslim Prayer Room at Orlando International, Asks 'Why Do Muslims Get Preference?' - Christian Post

The Rev. Franklin Graham has spoken out against Orlando International Airport's recent unveiling of plans to create a new Muslim prayer room that will cost $250,000 in taxpayer dollars, and asked how loud would objections be if the money were allocated to build a prayer room for Evangelical Christians, or Catholics, or other Christian groups.

"Let's call this what it is - a mosque. The airport already had an interfaith prayer room since 1983 (with prayer rugs available in it) - but that wasn't enough. How loud do you think the objections would be today if they spent $250,000 in taxpayer money to build a new prayer room exclusively for Evangelical Christians? Or for Jews or Mormons or any other group? Why do Muslims get preference?" Graham asked in a Facebook post on Saturday.

- Thank You, Father, for the powerful truth that Franklin Graham speaks out. We pray that wisdom will speak loudly to those who are in charge. Please put Your hand of protection over this man of God. We come against the Islamization of America in ways both subtle and not so subtle. We further decree and declare that this is a Judeo-Christian nation raised up to spread the Gospel to a needy world! In the powerful name of Jesus we pray.

- "For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips." Proverbs 8:7


The above is from CHPP, a group of prayer warriors who keeps their finger on the pulse of what's going on in Washington, D.C.

As an addendum to the above article, the reader should be aware that when islam over-runs a political foe, they allow three alternatives to the conquered people: 1. death, 2. conversion to islam, 3. dhimmitude.

Dhimmitude is an acceptance on the part of the defeated foe of second-class citizenship. As such, he will pay a tax that allows him to exist under muslim control but with the understanding that he is a lesser personage.

With tax--payer funding of this mosque in an American airport, Americans are acquiescing to the muslim perception that we are lesser citizens in our own land.

Why?

Why Is God So Slow?

August 26

Why Is God So Slow? CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Are you tired of waiting on God?  Have you been saying, "I've waited long enough?" 

Waiting on God to act can truly be one of the worst things we have ever done.  One of the most exasperating aspects of God is His slowness to step in on our behalf.  But the more we get to know Him, the more we see that His slowness is not such a bad thing after all; it is for our good.

What if you could ask for anything you honestly want?

Have you ever fantasized that God might come to you as He did to Moses and ask you what you want Him to do for you?  What if He did come to you and invited you to ask for anything you like?  What do you suppose you would ask for?  And what if there were no conditions —that is, you need not ask for what is noble, altruistic or even God-honoring—that it could even be a selfish request? 

You simply have an opportunity to ask for one thing and it will be answered.

What would you request?

God had let Moses know He was pleased with him: "You have found favor with Me," the Lord said to him.

Moses seized the moment and replied to God, "If I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You." Exodus 33:13

One of the things Moses learned about God's ways is His slowness to act.

Moses was arguably the greatest leader of men in human history.  He might have asked for any number of things—vengeance on His enemies, for example.  But the truth of his heart surfaced: Moses wanted to know God's ways.  This convicts me.  I ask: Would I want to know God's ways above any other request?

I will admit to you that Moses's request puts me to shame.  I cannot remember asking that of God.  I certainly have asked for a lot of other things.

I want to finish well.  I would have thought that the safest guarantee that one will finish well is to make Moses's request—to know God's ways—your true desire.

The apostle Paul's supreme wish was the same—"to know Him," that is, Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:10.

You may want to ask, "Paul, are you saying you don't know the Lord?"

Of course Paul knew the Lord. But his deepest longing was to know Christ better.  That is what he meant by the words, "to know Him."

I have learned this:  The better you get to know God, the more you want to know Him.  The more you know Him, the more you are in awe of Him.  The more you know Him, the more you want to spend time with Him.  The more you spend time with Him, the more you feel you need him.

The best way to get to know anybody is to spend time with them.  So, too, when it comes to knowing God.

Moses frequented what was called the tent of meeting.  It was there that the Lord spoke to Moses, "face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend," Exodus 33:11.  It was in the tent of meeting that Moses put his request to the Lord—that he might know God's ways.

God lamented that ancient Israel did not know His ways in Hebrews 3:10. God wants us to know His ways, but we must be prepared for this:  His ways are different from our ways, as we are told in Isaiah 55:8-9.

What if we don't like God's ways?

One of God's ways is His slowness, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" II Peter 3:8.  Time is His domain.  He is in no hurry.  But we are. God can—to us—seem so slow.

Yet God can act so quickly when He chooses.  Once Jesus was born, suddenly, a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel (see Luke 2:13-14), and after waiting hundreds of years for Joel's prophecy to be fulfilled, suddenly a sound of a violent wind came from heaven (Acts 2:1-2) when the Holy Spirit finally fell upon believers.

So why is God slow in making things happen?  He tells us why.  We may or may not like the reason: that He might gain greater glory.  The God of the Bible is a God of glory (see Acts 7:1-2).

Whatever He does, it is for His glory.  The longer He waits, the greater the glory.  But it also means greater the reward and greater the joy for us.