Active Waiting: Embracing Dependence on God
Summary
In our journey with Christ, we must embrace the truth that life was never intended to be lived independently from God, but rather dependently on Him. From the moment of the fall, humanity has grappled with the desire to navigate life without divine guidance. Yet, the entirety of the Christian experience, from the first sacrifice for Adam and Eve to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be lived in reliance on God. Recognizing and accepting this dependence is the key to living life as God intended.
Waiting on the Lord is not a passive act; it is an active pursuit of God's presence and voice. It is a discipline that involves longing for God, looking to Him for direction, listening for His voice, and living out His will. This waiting is not about inactivity but about actively engaging in the things we know God desires of us while anticipating His further guidance.
To wait on the Lord is to long for Him with a desperation that mirrors the psalmist's yearning for an audience with the Living God. It is to trust in God's timing, recognizing that He has a sovereign plan that we fit into. We must actively seek His face, align our lives with His word, and serve Him while waiting for His specific calling.
Waiting on the Lord also involves listening for His voice. In a world filled with competing voices, it is crucial to tune our ears to God's frequency. Just as the telegraph operator in the story was attentive to the Morse code message that led to his employment, we too must be attentive to God's voice to understand His will for our lives.
Abiding in Christ is essential for living the Christian life. While it is possible to be a Christian without abiding, it is impossible to live the Christian life effectively without it. Abiding means being plugged into the power of God, and it is through the spiritual disciplines that we maintain this connection. The most important of these disciplines is learning to wait on the Lord, which is the art of solitude with God.
In summary, waiting on the Lord is a dynamic and intentional act. It is about cultivating a relationship with God, seeking His will, and being ready to respond when He moves. It is about being still and quiet before God, allowing Him to impart His best thoughts to us. Waiting on the Lord is not about fulfilling a religious duty but about engaging in a personal, passionate pursuit of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Waiting on the Lord is an active pursuit that involves longing for God's presence, looking to Him for guidance, listening for His voice, and living out His will. It is a dynamic process that requires our full engagement and a heart tuned to God's frequency. [19:07]
- The discipline of waiting on the Lord is foundational to abiding in Christ. Without this practice, we cannot fully experience the life that Jesus died for us to have—a life of deep connection with God and reliance on His power. [01:55]
- Listening for God's voice is essential in discerning His will for our lives. In a world filled with noise and distraction, we must intentionally tune out other voices and focus on God's voice to receive His guidance and wisdom. [20:23]
- The story of Abraham and Sarah reminds us of the dangers of running ahead of God's plan. Patience in waiting on the Lord is crucial, as acting prematurely can lead to consequences that deviate from God's best for our lives. [30:03]
- Waiting on the Lord is not a solitary endeavor. Engaging in spiritual disciplines with others, sharing insights, and encouraging one another can greatly enhance our walk with God and help us to abide in Him more effectively. [34:03]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:28-31
> Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2. Psalm 130:5-6
> I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
3. Lamentations 3:25-26
> The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 40:28-31, what are the benefits of waiting on the Lord?
2. In Psalm 130:5-6, what imagery is used to describe the act of waiting on the Lord?
3. How does Lamentations 3:25-26 describe the attitude and outcome of those who wait on the Lord?
4. What does the sermon suggest is the difference between the cultural understanding of waiting and the biblical understanding of waiting? ([04:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of renewed strength in Isaiah 40:31 encourage believers to wait on the Lord actively rather than passively?
2. What does it mean to "wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning" as described in Psalm 130:6? How does this reflect a sense of urgency and expectation?
3. In what ways does Lamentations 3:25-26 suggest that waiting on the Lord is beneficial for our spiritual growth and relationship with God?
4. The sermon mentions that waiting on the Lord involves longing, looking, listening, and living for Him. How do these actions align with the biblical passages discussed? ([12:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt weary or weak. How might waiting on the Lord have renewed your strength in that situation? ([07:52])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of tuning out other voices to hear God's voice. What are some practical steps you can take to minimize distractions and focus on hearing from God? ([19:45])
3. How can you cultivate a deeper longing for God's presence in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to hunger and thirst for Him more? ([12:07])
4. The story of Abraham and Sarah highlights the dangers of running ahead of God's plan. Can you identify a situation in your life where you might be tempted to act prematurely? How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing? ([27:47])
5. The sermon suggests that waiting on the Lord is not a solitary endeavor. How can you engage with others in your spiritual disciplines to enhance your walk with God? ([34:03])
6. What specific time and place can you set aside for daily solitude with God? How will you ensure that this time is protected from interruptions? ([32:51])
7. The sermon encourages doing quiet time with someone else. Who can you invite to join you in this practice, and how can you both benefit from sharing what God is teaching you? ([34:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Pursuit of Divine Presence
The Christian walk is not a passive journey; it is an active pursuit of God's presence. This pursuit is characterized by a deep longing for God, a constant looking to Him for guidance, and a commitment to listening for His voice amidst the cacophony of life's distractions. It is about living out His will with intentionality and fervor. This active engagement is not merely about fulfilling religious obligations but about nurturing a relationship with the Creator, where one's heart is attuned to the divine frequency, ready to receive and respond to God's call. [19:07]
Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV)
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's presence in your daily routine, and what practical steps can you take to better listen for His guidance today?
Day 2: Foundational Discipline of Waiting
Abiding in Christ is not an optional aspect of the Christian life; it is foundational. The discipline of waiting on the Lord is essential for maintaining a deep connection with God and experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. This practice involves not just a momentary pause but a lifestyle of spiritual attentiveness and patience, where one's soul is anchored in the hope of Christ. Through this discipline, believers are empowered to live dependently on God's strength rather than their own, fostering a life that bears fruit in accordance with His will. [01:55]
Lamentations 3:25-26 (ESV)
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Reflection: What does waiting on the Lord look like in your life, and how can you cultivate patience and attentiveness to God's timing?
Day 3: Discerning God's Voice Amidst Noise
In a world brimming with noise and competing voices, discerning God's voice is a critical aspect of the Christian journey. It requires intentional focus and the quieting of one's heart to tune into God's frequency. This discernment is not a one-time event but a continuous process, where believers learn to distinguish the voice of the Shepherd from the clamor of the world. By prioritizing time with God and His Word, Christians can develop the sensitivity needed to understand His will and direction for their lives. [20:23]
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV)
"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: In what ways can you reduce distractions to better hear God's voice, and what might He be whispering to you now?
Day 4: Patience in God's Sovereign Plan
The biblical narrative of Abraham and Sarah serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of impatience and the importance of trusting in God's sovereign plan. Patience in waiting on the Lord is not about inaction but about trusting God's perfect timing. It is about resisting the urge to run ahead of God and instead, resting in the assurance that His plans are for our good. This patience is cultivated through a steadfast faith that God knows the end from the beginning and that His timing is always perfect, even when it differs from our own expectations. [30:03]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you might be rushing ahead of God's plan, and how can you practice patience and trust in His timing?
Day 5: Communal Waiting and Encouragement
Waiting on the Lord is not meant to be a solitary endeavor. Engaging in spiritual disciplines alongside fellow believers can greatly enrich one's spiritual journey. By sharing insights, bearing one another's burdens, and offering encouragement, the body of Christ can support each member in their walk with God. This communal aspect of waiting on the Lord fosters a sense of unity and accountability, helping believers to abide in Christ more effectively and to grow in their faith together. [34:03]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you engage with your faith community to support each other in waiting on the Lord, and what specific action can you take this week to encourage someone in their spiritual walk?
Quotes
"Life was never intended to be lived independently from God but dependently on God." [17:40](Download | Download)
"Waiting on the Lord is listening for the Lord... Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the post of my doors." [19:07](Download | Download)
"Waiting on the Lord is to long for Him... to have an insatiable appetite for God and the things of God." [12:07](Download | Download)
"Waiting on the Lord is about pursuing an intimate spiritual trusting romance with God." [08:32](Download | Download)
"Waiting is active not passive. I do all that I know God wants me to do, waiting for Him to give me more specific [guidance]." [25:02](Download | Download)
"God's word for wait is active... it's about yielding one's personal will to God with eager expectancy and a willingness to respond when God shows up." [05:02](Download | Download)
"Sometimes God is waiting on you... waiting for you to grow up, waiting for you to get on the same page, waiting for you to be part of what He's doing." [26:24](Download | Download)
"I can assure you the one thing that you don't want to do in your life is get ahead of God and God's plan for your life." [27:47](Download | Download)
"To wait on the Lord simply means to practice His presence... to seek Him, to spend time alone with Him in solitude." [07:52](Download | Download)
"Do your quiet time with someone else... so that when you meet with God and they meet with God, you can come together and share what God is teaching all of you." [34:03](Download | Download)
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