Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

14Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

WAITING AND THE CHRISTIAN

WAITING AND THE CHRISTIAN

WAITING IN PRAYER

Finding Strength— tells us: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Allow God to speak. Too often, we do all the speaking in prayer.

31But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Allow God to speak. Too often, we do all the speaking in prayer.

Steadfast/Consistent/Fervent Prayer. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

17Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

18Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Sympathy—. Abraham prayed for his nephew Lot. He kept asking God not to destroy the sinful city. (Sodom and Gomorrah) There were not fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, or even ten righteous in the city. Abraham could have stopped praying at fifty, but he didn’t.

Surety from prayer— Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ...

There is sure power in praying daily. There is great power. God may answer you the first time when you pray, He may not answer you for months or even years—but keep praying. Never give up.

WAITING IN PAIN, God does heal. However, sometimes He doesn’t. We must be patient.

God does heal. However, sometimes He doesn’t. We must be patient.

What about Suffering while waiting? (NLT) Listen carefully here.....

24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm....

God didn’t deliver Paul from all his suffering. He allowed him to suffer much pain.

What about Job’s waiting with sincere Surrender?—

7So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

8Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.

9His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Note Job’s:

1. Patience while waiting on God?— But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. He was not critical of God.

10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. He was not critical of God.

2. Faith while waiting on God?— God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.... Though it meant death, Job would accept it!

3. Job being in pain while being tested— “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

WAITING DURING PERSECUTION

No one likes persecution, but it is part of the Christian life.

Be Happy during persecution (WHAT?)— God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs....

10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. This persecution comes from living for God. Be happy when persecution comes your way.

12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. This persecution comes from living for God. Be happy when persecution comes your way.

Waiting during hardship—. You cannot live for God without suffering persecution.

Waiting for Heaven, How many times have we heard “I want to go now.” “I’m tired of this rotten world.”— Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Heaven will be our reward for suffering. The sufferings are small when compared with His glory, and heaven.

WAITING DURING PROBLEMS

Waiting while in deep Loneliness, Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”....... He will not forsake us.

20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” He will not forsake us.

Waiting while we are discouraged. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Loss—. Lose all to gain Christ.

Denial—. God has a reason for His denials.

Waiting while we worry—God will give us peace of mind. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Waiting while we are afraid? He will uphold us and destroy all fear. tells us: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

AMEN