Intro: One of the things I am NOT GOOD AT is waiting.
I am the person who paces the floor waiting for the
microwave popcorn which only takes three and one-half
minutes! (Do I need therapy? Most likely!!:) We live
in an "instant society" of fast food, instant information on demand, pay-at-the-pump gasoline, and
the "buy now pay later" philosophy which has been
the downfall of many families. It is interesting
to note that One of the Great Spiritual Virtues
in the Bible has to do with WAITING. (SEE TEXT)
IS WAITING ON GOD AS HARD FOR YOU AS IT IS FOR ME?
MANY WOULD SAY "YES". So, let us examine this subject
of WAITING UPON GOD using three approaches:
I. SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF WAITING UPON THE LORD:
A. ABRAHAM AND SARAH (FOR ISAAC)
B. NOAH (FOR THE FLOOD AND SUBSIDING WATERS)
C. JOSEPH (FOR HIS "TIME" IN POWER)
D. JESUS (FOR THE "TIME TO BE FULFILLED")
E. MARY AND MARTHA (FOR JESUS TO ARRIVE WHEN LAZRUS
DIED.
F. THE DISCIPLES (FOR THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT)
G. ALL BELIEVERS (AWAITING HIS RETURN)
*IN EACH CASE THEY
1. KNEW GOD’S PROMISES
2. RESTED IN GOD’S CHARACTER
3. RELIED UPON HIS LOVE
* IN EACH CASE, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!
OKAY, THAT’S GOOD FOR THE "SPIRITUAL GIANTS" BUT
WHAT ABOUT ME?? HOW CAN I WAIT ON THE LORD?
II. THE ENERGY AND EFFORT REQUIRED TO WAIT UPON GOD:
*WAITING ON GOD IS NOT "SITTING STILL AND DOING
NOTHING LIKE BABY BIRDS IN A NEST"
*WAITING UPON GOD REQUIRES
1. KEEPING TUNED TO HIS FREQUENCY (COMMUNICATION)
2. TURNING TO HIM WITH EVERY CARE/CONCERN/DECISION
3. TRUSTING HIM TO HEAR OUR REQUESTS
4. TAKING STEPS AS HE DIRECTS, ONE DAY AT A TIME.
5. TURNING THE OUTCOME(S) OVER TO HIM
*WHATEVER HIS ANSWER, IT WILL BE BETTER THAN WE
COULD HAVE MANUFACTURED!
"IF I EXPEND THE ENERGY AND PUT FORTH THE EFFORT
TO WAIT UPON GOD, WHAT CAN I EXPECT??"
III. THE ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF WAITING UPON GOD
(SEE TEXT ISAIAH 40:31)
A. RENEWED STRENGTH (spiritually, emotionally and
sometimes physically)
B. MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES
*EAGLES "USE" THE WINDS OF STORMS TO
ALLOW THEM TO SOAR HIGHER, THEY DO NOT
ALLOW THEM TO DRAG THEM LOWER*
C. RUN(THE RACE OF LIFE) AND NOT GET WEARY
(FACING LIFES RACE IN GOD’S STRENGTH NOT OUR OWN)
D. WALK AND NOT FAINT
(there have been times in my life the greatest
spiritual blessing I received that day was
simply "strength not to faint" (physically
emotionally and spiritually) due to the heaviness
of the burdens upon me at that time).
But if we wait upon the Lord, we will be lifted
higher DURING THE STORMS OF LIFE, AND HAVE THE
STRENGTH TO ENDURE ANY AND ALL SATAN’S DARTS.
...AND WHEN WE WAIT UPON HIM, HE WILL LIFT US UP
CONCLUDING STORY: A grandfather was taking a nature
hike with his 6 year old grandson. The child was
running ahead,and came to a creek...afraid that
he was going to fall in, the grandfather said
CHILD, WAIT FOR ME AND I’LL GET YOU ACROSS...SURPRISINGLY, THE CHILD OBEYED, AND WHEN
THE GRANDFATHER GOT THERE, HE LIFTED THE CHILD UPON HIS
SHOULDERS, AND WADED ACROSS THE CREEK. the grandchild
said, "If I hadn’t waited on you, I would never have
made it across!"
How true of us...Let us WAIT ON GOD..HE’LL GET
US ACROSS ANY OBSTACLE LIFE PUTS IN OUR WAY.
