The source of thy strength
Lets read our text verses: Isaiah 40:28-31
Opening…
1. Read text verses and have folks define in their own words the word “wait”
Hebrew 6960- wait for, look for, i.e., look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial, often with a focus of anticipation in a future event
2. Why wait? What is so important about that? Does it do something for God or for you?
3. In this day of EXTREME busyness and stress – it is imperative we learn to expectantly wait on God
What “waiting on God” does for us
1. When we are gazing at him, we lose sight of ourselves and our problems
a. Many are the times in distress that I turn to him and my problems melt away.
The bills still need to be paid, the mortgage is still due, but somehow it all seems so petty in his presence
b. In my daughter’s Amy’s world, want does not exist. For her father has all the money and she need not worry.
When she wants something, she simply ask for it.
c. Paul says strength came to him as he waited for God
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me…
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear… (2 Timothy 4:16-17)
2. Waiting on God helps us to put life into proper focus that God is in control
a. Read Matt. 6:31-33 - Take no thought for…all these things shall be added
b. David commanding his soul to be quiet in Ps. 42 & 43
* Then look at the response of Psalms 46- God is our refuge… we shall not fear though earth be removed…
Be still and know that I am God….
* The removal of doubt and fear is the result of waiting expectantly on God.
c. Abraham in the middle of the night came to the conclusion that God could be trusted with the life of his son.
* When did that happen in the stillness of the night as Abraham rested…waited… on God.
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." (Hebrews 11:17-19, KJV)
Accounting- Gr. 3357 (logizomai): vb. Hebrew,
reason about, ponder, think about
This is not negatively- but to think and ponder upon in hope…
As he ran the promises of God through and through his mind… His pondering on the promises of God caused hope and faith to leap forward – till it dawned on him… God will raise him up from the dead.
B. How do we go about waiting on God?
1. Read what Habakkuk did in Hab. 2:1-2
2. Read about Elisha in 2 Kings 3:15
3. Jesus often retired at night by himself and there prayed all night
4. Here is what I do…
Start often by breathing our praises to him
Then the Psalms or whatever chapter I am directed to
Then I might just get paper and pen in hand and wait for him… or listen what comes into my heart
