Waiting On God And Trusting In Divine Timing Series

As Christians, we often face situations where we feel the need to rush or take matters into our own hands. However, the Bible reminds us that God's timing is not our timing, and that waiting on Him is essential for His plans to unfold in our lives. In this sermon, we'll explore few examples that demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's timing.

1. Abraham and the Promise of a Son (Genesis 12:1-4, 15:1-6, 21:1-7)

God promised Abraham a son, but it took 25 years for the promise to be fulfilled. Abraham's wife, Sarah, tried to rush the process by suggesting that he have a child with her servant, Hagar. However, this led to complications and heartache. Ultimately, God's timing prevailed, and Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac, at the appointed time.

2. Joseph's Journey to Leadership (Genesis 37:1-36, 39:1-23, 41:1-57)

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, but God had a plan to make him a leader in Egypt. Joseph waited 13 years for his circumstances to change, and during that time, he remained faithful to God. Eventually, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as his second-in-command, and he used his position to save Egypt from famine.

3. Moses' Preparation for Leadership (Exodus 2:1-25, 3:1-12, 4:1-17)

Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery. During that time, Moses learned valuable skills as a shepherd and developed a deeper understanding of God's character. When God finally called him, Moses was ready to lead and perform the tasks that God had prepared for him.

4. David's Wait to Become King (1 Samuel 16:1-13, 17:1-58, 24:1-22)

David was anointed as king by Samuel, but he didn't become king immediately. Instead, he waited for 15 years, during which time he faced numerous challenges and dangers. David's wait was not in vain, as he developed the skills and character needed to become a great king.

5. Jesus' Timing for Ministry (Luke 2:1-52, 3:1-23)

Jesus waited 30 years before beginning His public ministry. During that time, He lived a humble life as a carpenter's son, learning and growing in wisdom and stature. When the time was right, Jesus began His ministry, preaching, teaching, and performing miracles that changed the course of human history.

6. The Disciples' Wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-26, 2:1-47)

After Jesus' ascension, the disciples waited 10 days for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. During that time, they prayed and prepared themselves for the task ahead. When the Holy Spirit came, the disciples were empowered to spread the Gospel and establish the early Christian church.

7. Paul's Wait in Arabia (Galatians 1:15-24)

After his conversion, Paul spent three years in Arabia, waiting for God's timing to begin his ministry. During that time, Paul received revelations from God and developed a deeper understanding of the Gospel. When he emerged from his wait, Paul became one of the most influential Christian leaders in history.

Conclusion

These examples demonstrate the importance of waiting on God's timing. When we rush or try to take matters into our own hands, we can make mistakes and miss out on God's best for our lives. However, when we wait on God, He prepares us for the tasks ahead, and His plans unfold in our lives in amazing ways. As we wait on God, let us remember that His timing is perfect, and His plans are always good.

Scripture to Reflect On

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." - Lamentations 3:25

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31