Be Still Before the Lord

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Thesis/ Central Idea:

Be prepared to patiently look toward God for his guidance and accept his proposed timing. Waiting on God can lead to an atmosphere of expectation and confidence in God and realizing the unreliability of one’s judgment.

Definition:

Be still: dmm (dam-mom) - to be motionless; rigid; stand still; keep quiet - still [6x’s/19occurences]

the sense of this Hebrew word is [10x’s/19occurences] is a verb; indicating absence of sound and or peace as well

Wait: hyl (hack-yude-lamid)- be in labor; writhe; tremble; bring forth (through labor) - wait;waited; waiting [4x’s/47 occurences]

the sense of this Hebrew word is [1x/47occurences] verb. to look forward to the occurence of, or the arrival of

Introduction:

Waiting on God is something that is commanded

Hosea 12:6 ESV

6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”

See also Ps 27:14; Ps 37:7; Ps 37:34; Ps 123:2; Is 30:18

Reasons for waiting on God

For His Providence

Je 14:22 for his providence;

Jeremiah 14:22 ESV

22 Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.

For His Salvation

Ps 25:5 for his salvation;

Psalm 25:5 ESV

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

For His Blessings

Ps 145:15–16 for his blessings

Psalm 145:15–16 ESV

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Waiting on Christ

Jas 5:7–8 “Waiting on Christ” is often seen in terms of waiting patiently for God to bring about the end of all things through the promised second coming of Jesus Christ.

James 5:7–8 ESV

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

See also Lk 12:35–40; 1 Co 1:7; 1 Co 4:5; Tt 2:13; Heb 9:28; Jud 21

The benefits of waiting on God

Stillness leads to expectancy

Psalm 5:3 ESV

3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

See also Ro 8:23; 1 Co 4:5; Ga 5:5; Tt 2:13

Stillness leads to hope

Psalm 33:20 ESV

20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

Stillness leads to trust

Isaiah 8:17 ESV

17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Stillness leads to patience

Romans 8:23–25 ESV

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.