Waiting not Wasting

Scripture Invitation

As we prepare our hearts for God's Word, I summon your prayerful consideration to the book of James, chapter 1, verses 2 through 4, as we delve into the theme of "Waiting Not Wasting: The Power of Patience."

Bible Passage

James 1:2–4 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Introduction

There was a time in ancient Jerusalem when the early church was facing intense persecution.

The believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, fleeing for their lives, separated from their homes and communities.

In the midst of this chaos and suffering, a man named James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ Himself, who once doubted his own brother but later became a pillar of the church, penned a letter to these dispersed believers.

James wasn't writing from a place of theory or hypothesis!

No!

He was writing from experience, having witnessed the suffering of the early Christians and having seen his own brother crucified before his very eyes!

When James wrote about trials and perseverance, he knew exactly what he was talking about!

He understood the pain of waiting for God to move in seemingly impossible situations.

He had seen the transformation that comes through patient endurance.

These scattered believers were asking, "How long, Lord?

How long must we suffer?

How long must we wait?"

They were wondering if their waiting was just a waste of time, if their suffering served any purpose at all.

And that's where James steps in with a revolutionary perspective: "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds."

Not "if" you face trials, but "when" you face them!

Because trials aren't just possibilities in the Christian life – they're guaranteed!

But why would James say to consider trials as joy?

Because he knew something profound about waiting that we often miss – there is a divine purpose in our waiting seasons!

Waiting on God is never wasting time with God!

And that's where I want to park today, church!

In this microwave generation where everything is instant – instant messages, instant food, instant gratification – we've lost the art and the power of holy patience!

We've forgotten that God is more interested in our character than our comfort, more concerned with our holiness than our happiness!

So let me declare to somebody here today: Your waiting is not your wasting!

God is working while you're waiting!

There's purpose in your patience!

There's development in your delay!

There's cultivation in your complications!

Application

First, we need to understand what biblical patience really is.

The Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 for patience as a fruit of the Spirit literally means "long-suffering" or "long-tempered."

It's not just passive waiting; it's active endurance!

It's not just marking time; it's making progress in the midst of pressure!

Look at Joseph in Genesis!

Thirteen years from the pit to the palace!

From being sold by his brothers to becoming second-in-command in Egypt!

During those thirteen years, was Joseph just wasting away?

No!

The Bible says in Genesis 39:2, "The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered."

Even in Potiphar's house!

Even in prison!

God was developing in Joseph the character needed to handle the coming promotion!

Some of us want the palace, but you can't handle the pit!

You want the promotion, but you haven't passed the prison test!

You want to reign, but you haven't learned to remain faithful in your season of restriction!

Let me tell you something about patience – it doesn't just happen!

It's cultivated through trials!

James says, "the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

The word "produces" there means to "work down to the desired result."

Like a blacksmith hammering hot metal, folding it, hammering it again, dipping it in water, and repeating the process until that metal becomes a perfectly balanced sword!

That's what God is doing in your trials!

He's not punishing you; He's purifying you!

He's not hurting you; He's helping you!

He's not breaking you; He's building you!

Look at David!

Anointed as king but had to wait approximately 15 years before he actually sat on the throne!

During those years, what was he doing?

Running for his life from Saul, hiding in caves, leading a band of distressed men!

Was that time wasted?

Absolutely not!

It was in those caves that many of the Psalms were written!

It was in those wilderness seasons that David learned to lead and to lean on God!

Church, your cave is your classroom!

Your desert is your development center!

Your trial is your training ground!

Now, let's look at our own lives.

We pray for patience, and then get frustrated when God puts us in situations that require patience!

That's like praying for stronger muscles and getting upset about having to lift weights!

When you're stuck in traffic and your blood pressure's rising – that's not just a test of patience; that's an opportunity to grow patience!

When that coworker keeps getting on your last nerve – that's not just a nuisance; that's your training in long-suffering!

When your children seem determined to press every button you have – that's not just parental fatigue; that's your patience gym!

But here's where many of us mess up – we wait, but we wait with worry!

We wait with complaining!

We wait with bitterness!

That's not the kind of waiting God honors!

Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

The Hebrew word for "wait" means to "bind together by twisting."

It's not passive; it's an active intertwining of your life with God's purpose!

It's binding yourself to His timing!

It's wrapping your will around His will!

Look at Abraham and Sarah!

God promised them a son, but they had to wait 25 years!

And in that waiting, Sarah got impatient and suggested Abraham have a child with Hagar – and we're still dealing with the consequences of that impatience today in the Middle East!

Impatience always leads to Ishmaels!

Shortcuts always lead to long-term consequences!

Some of you are frustrated right now because you've been praying for something for years, and it seems like God isn't listening!

But I've got news for you – God's delays are not God's denials!

His timing is perfect even when it doesn't align with your timetable!

Romans 5:3-4 tells us, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

There's a divine sequence there!

Suffering → Perseverance → Character → Hope!

You can't skip steps!

You can't have the character without the perseverance, and you can't have the perseverance without the suffering!

Job went through unimaginable suffering – he lost his children, his wealth, and his health.

His friends blamed him, his wife told him to curse God and die.

But Job declared in Job 23:10, "When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

Gold doesn't just appear shiny and valuable!

It has to be tested by fire!

It has to be heated to extreme temperatures to separate the impurities from the precious metal!

And sometimes, that's what your waiting season is – God's refining fire!

It's hot!

It's uncomfortable!

It feels like you're melting!

But God is removing impurities from your character that would hinder your future!

I need somebody to understand – patience is not just about waiting for something; it's about how you behave while you're waiting!

When the Israelites were waiting to enter the Promised Land, they grew impatient and built a golden calf.

Their impatience led to idolatry!

And a whole generation died in the wilderness as a result!

What are you building in your waiting?

Are you building altars of worship or idols of worry?

Are you growing in grace or growing in grumbling?

Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."

Pride says, "I want it now!"

Patience says, "I'll wait for God's best!"

Pride says, "I know better than God!"

Patience says, "God knows what I don't know!"

Pride demands its way!

Patience surrenders to God's way!

Let me bring this home.

Some of you have been praying for healing, for restoration in your marriage, for that wayward child to come home, for financial breakthrough – and it hasn't happened yet.

And the enemy is whispering, "You're wasting your time!

God doesn't hear you!

God doesn't care!"

But I came to tell somebody today – your waiting is not wasting!

Every tear you've cried is stored in God's bottle!

Every prayer you've prayed is recorded in heaven!

Every moment of faithful endurance is building eternal weight of glory!

2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

The word "achieving" there means "to work out" or "to produce."

Your troubles are producing something!

Your patience is producing something!

Your waiting is working something out in you that couldn't be worked out any other way!

Closing & Appeal (Whoop)

As I close today, remember that patience isn't passive – it's power!

It's not weakness – it's wisdom!

It's not surrender to circumstances – it's submission to God's timing!

So child of God, don't waste your waiting!

Use this season to draw closer to the heart of your Heavenly Father!

Use this time to develop spiritual muscles that will carry you into your destiny!

Because I want you to know today:

While you're waiting, God is working!

While you're persevering, God is perfecting!

While you're enduring, God is elevating!

While you're patient, God is preparing!

Though the vision may tarry, it will surely come!

Though the promise may delay, it will not be denied!

Though the answer seems distant, it's drawing near!

Though the morning seems far off, joy comes in the morning!

Though the trial is testing you, triumph awaits you!

Though the burden is heavy, breakthrough is coming!

Though the night is long, daybreak is dawning!

Though the struggle is real, strength is rising!

Though the journey is difficult, joy is developing!

Though the path is painful, purpose is prevailing!

Though the wait feels like wasting, wisdom is working!

So wait on the Lord, and be of good courage!

Wait on the Lord, and renew your strength!

Wait on the Lord, for His timing is perfect!

Wait on the Lord, for He's making all things beautiful in His time!

Wait on the Lord, for your waiting is not wasting!

Wait on the Lord, for patience will have its perfect work!

Wait on the Lord, for what He's prepared for you is greater than what you're enduring right now!

Wait on the Lord, and you shall not – I said you SHALL NOT – be ashamed!