In the Waiting

New Series — Waitlisted

Waiting is a part of life

Concession stands, waiting for test scores, waiting for those new shoes out of stock, etc...

Waiting is a BIG part of the Bible

Marshmallow Experiment

“Stanford Marshmallow Experiment” ca. 1970

This studied delayed gratification vs instant gratification

2nd marshmallow given to children who WAIT

Prom Story

— Tell prom story —

Waiting is a feeling that a lot of us can identify with, because sometimes we feel like we are waiting on God

Waiting on a Promise — Abraham and Sarah

Genesis 12:1-3

(v1-3) — The Promise

This was a HUGE promise

We serve a VERY generous God

Abram and Sarai obeyed God by packing up their lives and hitting the road. But that promise about children…? They were officially waitlisted

Genesis 15:1-6

(v1-3) — Abram completely bypasses the possibility of God fulfilling his promise… So he begins looking elsewhere for God’s promise

A lack of trust allowed for this to happen Abram and can happen to us as well

Are you looking elsewhere for God’s promise

We should look no further than his promises (found in His word)

(v4-5) — When Abram expressed his concerns/doubts to God, God did not react negatively

Instead God reminded Abram

When we seek him the midst of our waiting, we will be reminded of who God is

(v6) — When we believe in our Lord we are in “right-standing”

Genesis 16-1:6

(v1-3a) — “Since the Lord has PREVENTED me”

We will NEVER begin understand God’s timing if we remove the “God” from them

(3b-6) — When doubts are handled by humans, those doubts turn into something bigger

Those doubts turned into Ishmael and the Muslim faith.

Genesis 17

God could have punished the Abram and Sarai but He decided to cover them with grace (like He does throughout the entire narrative of humanity)

So...

He RENEWED and REMINDED — Changed name and made covenant

Genesis 21:1-3

(v1-2) — “at the appointed time”

When you make doctor “appointments” you make them at specific times — If you come at different times you won’t get in

The birth of Isaac

Abraham was 100

Sarah was 90 or 91

Proverbs 3:5-7

Proverbs 3:5–7 CSB

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

God has a plan but we might have to wait for it