Choose God's Way

When you have a winning formula you stick to the plan. No matter what, you stick to the plan. With our Lord, we have a winning formula. You + God will = victory 100% of the time. Of course no matter what there is never going to be a better formula for victory.

It’s easy to bail on the plan at the first sign of trouble. “It’s easy to bail on God at the first sign of trouble. It’s easy to fret, worry, make new plans, and settle for shortcuts. But there is another way-the quiet way of rest and trust. During this Advent journey, keep making the confident decision to choose God’s way.” -WAITING HERE FOR YOU by Louie Giglio

Question

How do we all struggle with this?

Did anybody find peace with your black Friday shopping? Everything promises peace, coffee, electronics, new cars, vacations. We must say NO to anything and everything that promises peace that is outside of God. Don’t look for the quick fix and don’t change plans when you hit a pothole.

Text

What does the Bible say about this?

Isaiah 30:15–18 (CSB)

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

“You will be delivered by returning and resting;

But you are not willing.”

(Rather than relying on Egypt, the Israelites need to repent and rely on Yahweh—that was all He required for their rescue. But they rejected this route.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. 2012, 2016. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.your strength will lie in quiet confidence. )

Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy,

and is rising up to show you compassion,

for the Lord is a just God.

All who wait patiently for him are happy.

God was waiting for the people to repent before turning his judgment into compassion and restoration.

Longman, Tremper, III. 2017. “Isaiah.” In CSB Study Bible: Notes, edited by Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax, 1084. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

God’s nature is to wait for the right time to redeem (see 1:27). Isaiah declares his intent to wait on Yahweh

Don’t be in a hurry. Don’t say, “We are at the end of the age, and the Lord is going to come this year or next—or at least before the year two thousand.” God says, “Let Me work this out. I have not given you any dates.” Learn to wait upon the Lord. This matter of looking for the Lord Jesus to come to take His own out of the world is a matter of waiting. And we are told that they who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. You cannot rush God. He is in no hurry. Maybe things are not working out the way you think they should; maybe you and I would like to rearrange them, but let God work things out. He has eternity ahead of Him; and, when you and I get in step with Him, life will be much easier for us down here.

McGee, J. Vernon. 1991. Thru the Bible Commentary: The Prophets (Isaiah 1-35). Electronic ed. Vol. 22. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Application

What should you do about this?

“The best things in life take time. And the payoff of doing things God’s way is always better. But the enemy is crafty and determined to deceive us, shouting that the “wait” we endure is a sign that God is not good. Stay the course.” -Waiting Here for You by Louie Giglio

Challenge

How can we all live this out together?

“Don’t give in today. Choose the path that leads to life and hang on to the hope that Jesus outshines everything that glitters in this world.” -Waiting Here for You by Louie Giglio

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