How Do We Wait on God?
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Isaiah 40:30–31 “30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 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.”
Isaiah 40:30–31 “30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 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.”
We live in a RUSH AGE! Everyone seems to be in a hurry. As Christians, we must take time each day to wait on (before) God. Jesus told us to enter into our closet and shut the door. Matthew 6:6 “6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” I just read this scripture last week. When we take time for God, our lives will change, our lack of peace will change, People will see Jesus Christ in us.
We live in a RUSH AGE! Everyone seems to be in a hurry. As Christians, we must take time each day to wait on (before) God. Jesus told us to enter into our closet and shut the door. Matthew 6:6 “6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” I just read this scripture last week. When we take time for God, our lives will change, our lack of peace will change, People will see Jesus Christ in us.
WE, YOU AND I, THE PEOPLE THAT WAIT ON GOD.........
WE, YOU AND I, THE PEOPLE THAT WAIT ON GOD.........
A. We wait because of our Dedication to God—Psalm 55:17. Here the Psalmist says that he sought God evening, morning, and at noon. A dedicated person will find time to wait before God! Psalm 55:17–18 “17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me.”
A. We wait because of our Dedication to God—Psalm 55:17. Here the Psalmist says that he sought God evening, morning, and at noon. A dedicated person will find time to wait before God! Psalm 55:17–18 “17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me.”
B. God Detained the people in Jerusalem that had listened to Jesus commands. Here 120 people waited for 10 days, then God poured out His Holy Spirit to the waiting people. Acts 2:3–5 tells us: “3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.” Time spent in waiting before God is not wasted time!
B. God Detained the people in Jerusalem that had listened to Jesus commands. Here 120 people waited for 10 days, then God poured out His Holy Spirit to the waiting people. Acts 2:3–5 tells us: “3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.” Time spent in waiting before God is not wasted time!
We do not usually know what we are waiting for do we? But since we are humans, we want to know now, we want all the answers now, we want to act now, well, don’t we?
We do not usually know what we are waiting for do we? But since we are humans, we want to know now, we want all the answers now, we want to act now, well, don’t we?
C. We have all heard and probably used the phrase, “Divine intervention.” in Psalm 46:9–11, the Psalmist tells us: “9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Be still, allow God to speak to you. Prayer is not all talking—it is listening also! Do you allow God to speak to you with your ears and heart devoted to His guidance?
C. We have all heard and probably used the phrase, “Divine intervention.” in Psalm 46:9–11, the Psalmist tells us: “9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Be still, allow God to speak to you. Prayer is not all talking—it is listening also! Do you allow God to speak to you with your ears and heart devoted to His guidance?
WE ARE TO CAST OUR BURDENS UPON OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
WE ARE TO CAST OUR BURDENS UPON OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
A. Saviour—speaks of DIVINITY. Jesus being the Son of God. Jesus being equal with God. Philippians 2:8–10 “8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
A. Saviour—speaks of DIVINITY. Jesus being the Son of God. Jesus being equal with God. Philippians 2:8–10 “8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
He is above all gods! He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
He is above all gods! He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
B. Lord—speaks of DISCIPLINE. God must at times, most of the time, discipline us. Correcting us. Hebrews 12:5–7 “5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?”
B. Lord—speaks of DISCIPLINE. God must at times, most of the time, discipline us. Correcting us. Hebrews 12:5–7 “5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?”
When we wait and listen, God will take the things out of our lives which are not pleasing to Him.
When we wait and listen, God will take the things out of our lives which are not pleasing to Him.
C. Master—speaks of DEDICATION. When God speaks to us, we obey Him fully, or at least we are instructed to. We take up our cross and follow Him.
C. Master—speaks of DEDICATION. When God speaks to us, we obey Him fully, or at least we are instructed to. We take up our cross and follow Him.
Luke 9:22–24 22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” 23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
Luke 9:22–24 22 “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” 23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
D. Our King, our Lord and Savior—speaks of DISCIPLESHIP. There are many Christians, but few disciples. There are in scripture, over and over telling us what we are to be doing. Notice Jesus’ words..... If we really love Him, then we will be His disciple.
D. Our King, our Lord and Savior—speaks of DISCIPLESHIP. There are many Christians, but few disciples. There are in scripture, over and over telling us what we are to be doing. Notice Jesus’ words..... If we really love Him, then we will be His disciple.
John 14:22–24 “22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”
John 14:22–24 “22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”
WE HAVE THE POWER THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR STRENGTH SHALL BE RENEWED IF WE ASK AND WAIT FOR IT”
WE HAVE THE POWER THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR STRENGTH SHALL BE RENEWED IF WE ASK AND WAIT FOR IT”
A. Our Physical strength, Notice we can do all things if Christ strengthens us. This strength comes as we wait before God in prayer.
A. Our Physical strength, Notice we can do all things if Christ strengthens us. This strength comes as we wait before God in prayer.
B. Our Personal strength, endurance, passion, dedication.
B. Our Personal strength, endurance, passion, dedication.
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE THIS SCRIPTURE. Isaiah 41:9–11 “9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10 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. 11 “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. God will strengthen us for every task we face.
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE THIS SCRIPTURE. Isaiah 41:9–11 “9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10 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. 11 “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. God will strengthen us for every task we face.
Now, couldn’t that scripture be a High School basketball game cheer from the cheerleaders?
Now, couldn’t that scripture be a High School basketball game cheer from the cheerleaders?
C. We have been promised God’s Powerful strength.
C. We have been promised God’s Powerful strength.
Ephesians 3:14–16 “14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
Ephesians 3:14–16 “14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
Paul’s words here are telling us of being strengthened in the inner man or woman. This is the strength that sends us forth to do God’s work! (Waiting on God is the best tonic or vitamins you can buy! Try it, and see how God will strengthen.)
Paul’s words here are telling us of being strengthened in the inner man or woman. This is the strength that sends us forth to do God’s work! (Waiting on God is the best tonic or vitamins you can buy! Try it, and see how God will strengthen.)
THE PROMISE THAT IS MADE TO US THROUGH JESUS SHOULD BE THE STARTING LINE FOR US IN OUR LIVES.
THE PROMISE THAT IS MADE TO US THROUGH JESUS SHOULD BE THE STARTING LINE FOR US IN OUR LIVES.
A. The Power—“Shall mount up as wings of eagles.” Meaning we are overcomers. We are victorious. We are a success!
A. The Power—“Shall mount up as wings of eagles.” Meaning we are overcomers. We are victorious. We are a success!
B. The Persistence, we are to stay at it, life gets in the way but—“Run and not be weary.” We are promised Strength to do His Work, and be able to work overtime! His Work demands extra effort, therefore, He gives extra strength and passion.
B. The Persistence, we are to stay at it, life gets in the way but—“Run and not be weary.” We are promised Strength to do His Work, and be able to work overtime! His Work demands extra effort, therefore, He gives extra strength and passion.
C. The Promise—“Walk and not faint.” Going forth in the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This comes about as we wait before God!
C. The Promise—“Walk and not faint.” Going forth in the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This comes about as we wait before God!
IN CLOSING.
IN CLOSING.
Most of you have probably heard the story about Jacob wrestling with God........He was face to face with God.
Most of you have probably heard the story about Jacob wrestling with God........He was face to face with God.
Genesis 32:24–30 “24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” 29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”
Jacob prayed all night! His name and life was changed. Wait on God at home. Don’t be in a hurry—allow God to speak to you. By doing this, you will find God’s Will for your life!
Jacob prayed all night! His name and life was changed. Wait on God at home. Don’t be in a hurry—allow God to speak to you. By doing this, you will find God’s Will for your life!
AMEN
AMEN