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+ Stuck in a long line of traffic
> Checkout line that is not moving
> Stuck in a waiting room
> On hold on the phone
- When waiting becomes frustrating it’s because we do not know what is going on
+ Nine months can seem like forever for a mother-to-be. In the first trimester, hormonal changes sometimes cause lingering morning sickness. Emotions rise to the surface, prolonging afternoon blues. Then a changing appetite stretches out evening hours with late-night cravings for pizza, chocolate, and dill pickles.
During the next 3 months, Mom outgrows her clothes and spends long hours looking for a new wardrobe. The last trimester turns normal activity into a chore as the final watch begins and soon contractions begin
Then, suddenly the endless waiting is over. Nine months become like yesterday’s newspaper. They are gone. They become insignificant, a faint memory—overcome by joy. Ask the new mom if she regrets enduring her pregnancy. Never!
- We don’t mind waiting when we have an appointment
- Standing in line to be the first to get an item, or to get in
- Focus makes all the difference
- Binoculars out of focus or magnifying glass
- Planing to see something better frustrating when out of focus
- It’s all about FOCUS – Here the focus is on the LORD
LORD 12x YHWH - self-existing
- One who has authority as master, owner
- Personal, Relational
- Personally involved in our lives
God - only once here
- El, “to be strong” (power & strength)
- Elohim is the plural form (found in plural form in scripture)
- He is preeminent creator
- v. 14 Personally involved
❶ Record Of Waiting
1. Wait the flood is not over yet
- 40 DAYS - Gen 7:12
- Gen 7:24 - 150 DAYS = 5 months
- 7 month ark rested
- Gen 8:1 Mountain tops - 10 month
- Gen 8:10 - Dove sent out 7 days later
- Gen 8:12 - Stayed another 7 days
2. Wait I have Isaac coming
- Ab. 75 yrs when told he would make a nation
-Waited 25 years for Isaac
3. Wait 70 years & Israel will come back home
4. Wait the Messiah is coming
- All of the OT before Christ came
5. Wait 3 days and witness the resurrection
6. Wait I am going to give you the HS ( 50 days Pentecost)
7. Wait I am coming again
In Each Case They Had a Promise
1. Based on the faithfulness of His Word
2. Assured of His past reputation
3. Experience the passion of His love
❷ Requirements For Waiting
1. v. 1-3 - Letting go of panic
2. v. 4-6 - A Desire for the Lord
3. v. 7- 10 - Surrender and trust him
* in each case, it was worth the wait!!
❸ Results of Waiting
1 v.14 Strong heart
v. 1 A Focus as light brought through a magnifying glass
- Compare v. 1. & v. 14 Strong life = a strong heart
2. - v. 3 Peace within the soul
3. v. 6 Outpour of praise worship & joy 4. v. 10 Confidence in confusion
5 v. 11 Assurance of direction
❹ Resource For Waiting
1. Obedience to his direction
2. Realize The Lords ability
- Nothing is impossible
- It’s in His time
- It is according to His purpose
3. Patience In His Timing
- Created the world in 6 days not one
- Jn 14: I go to prepare a place
What are you waiting for?
- No excuse you have been stuck in a rut
- Surrender and obey
