Ill-Advised Haste

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

“…whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.”  (Proverbs 19: 2b)

Have you heard the saying, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get?” My Dad used to remind us of that as kids. Quick is not always best.

I hesitate to write this Victory Call because I don’t want to foster misunderstanding. I am not promoting laziness or dragging one’s feet.  When GOD calls us to obedience it is time to take action not time for debate, to mull over, procrastinate or delay.

It seems the devil, however, wants to get us to race after his empty offerings before we have time to prayerfully think it through. Have you ever noticed how compelling temptation can be, demanding immediate action?  Like somehow if we don’t take immediate action we will lose out?

So are you scratching your head?  How am I to know when it is God calling me to obedience or Satan tempting me to sin?  Good question.

Discernment.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)

God will never call you to do anything that is contrary to His Word.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

I think one good way to discern between immediate obedience and ill-advised haste is to consider our motive and the benefactor.  Is my desire to obey and to please God or is there something I am hoping to gain by acting quickly on an opportunity? Am I walking by faith or by sight?

“For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

I know this is a difficult distinction, but it does come back to an issue of our heart.  Who am I seeking to please?

Lord, please guide and direct me in the way I should go, in the path of righteous obedience and faith. Let me not be distracted or enticed by things that may catch my eye and cause me to seek with haste that which is ultimately not for Your glory or my good.

 

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” (Joshua 21:45)