The 4 Benefits Of Waiting On The Lord

THE 4 BENEFITS OF WAITING ON THE LORD

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR. Fishing season is almost here…

1.Q: Why are fish so smart A: Because they swim in schools!

2. Q: What does the pope eat during lent? A: Holy mackerel!

3. Q: What is the richest fish in the world? A: A goldfish

4. Q: What do fish use for money? A: Sand dollars!

5. Q: Where does a fish keep his money A: In the River Bank!

6. Q: What is the difference between a fish and a piano? A: You can't tuna fish.

7. Q: If fish lived on land, in which country would they live? A: Finland.

B. TEXT

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, not faint" Isa. 40:31.

C. THESIS

1. Many people in the Bible had to wait on the Lord for a lengthy time:

a. Abraham & Sarah – for Isaac;

b. Noah – for the flood waters to subside;

c. Joseph – in servitude & prison, until made regent;

d. Lord Jesus – for His time to be fulfilled;

e. Disciples – waiting for the Spirit to fall;

f. All believers – waiting for Jesus to return.

2. In each case:

a. They had a promise from God;

b. They trusted in God’s character;

c. And it was worth the wait!

3. Waiting on the Lord has real benefits. We’re going to look at 4 of them this evening.

4. Title: “4 BENEFITS OF WAITING ON THE LORD.”

“FOR THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD…”

I. THEY WILL HAVE INWARD STRENGTH

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

A. DEFINITION OF “WAIT”

1. The word "wait" has two definitions; one involves activity, and the other meaning doesn't:

a. "To stay in place (stationary) in expectation of; to look for, tarry, wait."

b. "To serve as a waiter; attend as a servant."

2. The clearest example of both of these types of waiting is seen in Luke 10:38-42 with the two sisters, Mary and Martha.

3. Mary "sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word." Stillness is essential to the reception of instruction. Psalm 46:10; "Be still and know that I am God."

4. Martha on the other hand, was consumed with activity, but sapped of inner strength and peace.

5. As Isa. 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

B. THE PROBLEM

1. Isa. 30:18 says, "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"

2. God often wants to give us victory, but we don’t resort to Him as our source of strength & help.

C. PUTTING GOD FIRST RESULTS IN VICTORY

1. The film "Chariots of Fire", tells the story about Christian Eric Liddell, who refused to run in his 100 meters in the 1924 Paris Olympics because it involved racing in a preheat on a Sunday.

2. Liddell believed Sunday was a day holy to God and felt God direct him to be an example of emphasizing its sacredness.

3. Liddell was probably the fastest man alive at that time and was the favorite to win the race for Britain. The Press and even the Prince of Wales tried to talk him into running, but he refused.

4. Instead, he went to the Scottish Presbyterian church that Sunday and read the lesson from Isaiah 40. And verse 31 seem to capture the situation.

5. However, he was given the chance to race for Britain in the 400 meter race he had never even run before. And God honored him for his stand.

6. Liddell ran the 400 meters at a breakneck 100 m pace and won with a new world record.

7. God wants us to rely on Him. There are times when we want to throw in the towel – But if we look to the Lord, he will RENEW our strength!

FOR THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD

II.THEY WILL HAVE UPWARD STRENGTH:

“they shall mount up with wings as eagles”

A. WE NEED TO BE STRUGGLING UPWARD

1. There are many ups and downs in this life that we live. But God will give us victory over the downs if we learn to wait on him.

2. In one "Peanuts" comic strip, Lucy was complaining about her lousy life. Charley Brown was trying to cheer her up. "Into each life some rain must fall," he said. That didn’t help.

3. Then he thought of another saying: "Just remember, life has its mountains and its valleys, its ups and downs." To which Lucy replied, "All I want is ups and ups and ups!"