Wait on the Lord (part 2)

How do I wait

Words for “Wait”

‘arab--’arav

Means, to lurk, lie in wait, as in an ambush

example Abimalech, the son of Gideon took his men and created an ambush

tsaba—tsava

to go forth, to wage war, to fight, to serve

Used of the priests fulfilling their duties in the tabernacle

yachel—gutteral “ch”

to wait, to hope, to expect

Qavah—Kaw-vaw

to wait, hope for, expect

The last two words are used most commonly in regard to our relationship with the Lord

Patiently

Qavah: the word carries the idea of patient waiting

verse 1 “I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined his ear unto me”.

this is so hard.

We see it in driving—NYC drivers at a red ligh

the more instant our world becomes, the harder it is to be patient (as I was typing this, I lost part of what I had typed. Urrrgh! I lost about 30 seconds there!)

This carries into our spiritual life.

This carries into our spiritual life.

We demand instant answer, instant gratification

The Psalmist says that he waited patiently and God bowed his ear

Impatience can do two things

Make us angry

Make us give up altogether

Expectantly

Like a pregnant lady

says that the whole creation is groaning like a lady in labor.

We say that she is expecting.

Why do we say that she is expecting

Because we believe that this period of waiting, pain, discomfort will result in something

We believe that she will be rewarded with a child

Why do we believe? Because there is evidence!

her belly is growing

You can feel the child kicking. You know that there is something there. You just cant see it.

Sometimes the waiting seems to take forever

As the say gets closer, the husband becomes more an more attentive—every twitch that she gives, he’s racing for the car keys and her overnight bag

But then that day arrives and she gives the signal that it is time to go to the hospital.

How is it when the Lord asks you to wait on Him?

In the morning, Oh Lord, you hear my voice. in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. NIV

Do you expect that something will happen?

if you have doubt, do you look for evidence that he is working?

Do you lean in toward him, looking for his signal

Do you go when he says go, do you stop when he says stop

Or do you stand back with your arms folded, a sceptical look on your face and say, “yeah, He might answer, but whatever”.

example: waiting on the bus in Portugal…looking expectantly down the street

3. Actively

Serving

Going out to eat—who is the person that brings your food? a waiter or waitress

fancy restaurants—stands at a discreet distance

anticipates your every need. Your cup never gets empty

Tsava—to go out, wage war, to serve

Example, the Levites waited in the tabernacle

(ESV)

24 “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting.

Even while you are “waiting”, there are always opportunities for service

Jesus—the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many

His ultimate purpose was to reconcile us to God with his sacrivice on the cross

But while he lived, he served.

b. seeking:

As we wait, we seek His face

little boy at PC seeking his father’s face

Seek guidance from His word

We seek the council of godly and wise people

Preparing

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man

“…but those who hope (wait) 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 faint.”